Page 15 of No Way Forward

She rounded on him. “How do you know?”

He was calm and so dang handsome. The eyes that saw into her secrets were full of warmth and kindness. Her heart stirred. She was always attracted to him, but Zaid was out of reach.

He approached her. “I took care of it.”

“You?”

“Yes, just like I’m going to take care of you.”

“Like you take care of my dad.”

“Yes.”

She ducked her head. “I wonder what you would do if you had to choose between me or him. I didn’t give you a choice five years ago. What about this time? If I need you to help me get away again, would you be there for me?”

Chapter 7

Azalie’s phone rang. She checked the screen and rolled her eyes then tossed the phone down.

“Azalie, are you going with me to the salon?” Novette asked.

They both sat by the pool outside Richard Kagen’s mansion. Azalie spent more time there than at her mom’s home. She hated the rancher, which was her official address. And the fact that her mother was Richard’s secretary and not rich like him drove her absolutely bananas.

If Azalie could get away with moving officially into the mansion, she would have years ago. Instead, she had to tease and lie her way in while Novette was gone. Now at least with her friend back, she could come over every chance she got. There was no

thing like lying by the pool or hanging out in the Jacuzzi, and Novette wanted her to spend time in a stupid salon when she wasn’t getting her hair done?

“I have important things to do, Vette.”

“Wow, are you working now? Where at?”

Azalie studied a nail. Perhaps she would make up some random job that sounded impressive. Or she could get a job for real. Not that she wanted to, but who knew when her mom would cut her off. “The mall.”

“Cool. Maybe you can put in a good word for me.”

Azalie blinked at her. “Why would you get a job when your daddy pays for everything?”

“I don’t want him to pay for everything. And it’s probably just wishful thinking. He won’t let me out of his sight if he thinks I’ll have an independent thought in my head.”

“Lucky.” Azalie kept the bite out of her tone with effort. Her phone rang again.

“Are you going to get that?”

Azalie’s annoyance jumped a few notches, but she forced her usual exuberant smile. “It’s just my ex. You know how guys are. I’ve gotten bored with him, and there was this customer at the mall who came into the store.”

Novette laughed good-naturedly. “Girl, you haven’t changed. Still jumping from man to man. We’re not getting younger, you know. And you have a daughter now.”

“So? Mom babysits whenever I ask.” An itch at meanness came over Azalie as she thought about how free Novette was—and how rich. She didn’t even appreciate it. “You know that bathing suit looks awful on you. Did you eat while you were away? You’ve lost your boobs and your butt. God, eat a hamburger. You’re making me look fat.”

Azalie saw the flash of hurt feelings in Novette’s eyes, but it was gone immediately. She smirked. “You never did bite your sharp tongue, did you? I can’t blame you. I don’t bite mine either. And don’t worry. I ate everything that wasn’t nailed down this morning. I’ll gain weight in no time.”

“You know I love you, Vette. I’m just joking. You’re still cute.”

Novette swam over to the side of the pool and climbed out. “If you love me, woman, answer your phone. You shouldn’t even be on that float with it. What if it falls in the water?”

“Waterproof.”

With Novette headed toward the house, Azalie took the chance to answer her phone.

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