Page 34 of When I Found You

I down the liquor and immediately regret it. “I missed the part where that’s my problem.” Before he can remind me how I assaulted her, however accidental it was, I continue. “She may not have recovered all her memory, but she’s perfectly capable of fending for herself. I gave her a job, which provides a lifetime worth of torture on a daily basis. I don’t need her fucking up my personal life too.”

“What personal life?” he scoffs. “All I’m saying is, it sounds like you two need to fuck and get it out of your system.”

“Yes. Sex will obviously solve all my problems. Perhaps her memory will magically return afterwards.” I tap the glass on the bar. “Then I can get her off my hands.”

“I’m used to you being an asshole, but this is overboard even for you.” He snatches the glass from my fingertips and walks around the bar. “What gives?”

I hang my head. “I wish I knew. This woman has me all twisted up. The moment I think we’re on solid ground everything gives out beneath me and can’t tell which end is up.”

He offers a glass of water. I sip it wondering if I can even voice my concern out loud and not sound like a raging lunatic.

“I can smell the smoke from the gears spinning in your head.” He sips his water. “Just say it.”

“I don’t think she has amnesia.” I stare into the glass. “She’s not being honest with me.”

“What makes you say that?” Rob straightens and sets the drink aside.

“The way she talks. The way she interacts with people. With me.” I shake my head. “I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like she has this carefully constructed persona and every now and then she’ll say or do something that doesn’t make sense. I don’t know.”

“Have you asked her about it?”

“No.”

“You should.”

“Why? What good is asking about it?” I rub my forehead. “She’ll only deny it.”

Rob throws his hands up. “All I know is it wouldn’t hurt for you two to talk about it, you know, like adults.”

I cock my head and pin him with a disappointed glare. “Yes, because behaving like honest adults has worked so well for you and Marcy.”

“Don’t bring us into your shitshow.” He gestures between us. “I’ll talk to Marcy when I’m good and ready.”

“Better hurry, the window of opportunity narrows with every date she goes on.” I click my tongue. “Gotta catch her before she realizes she’s better off alone.”

“I’m not discussing this with you.” Rob rinses his hands and pats them dry. “Let’s go. We’re going to crash the pajama party so I don’t have to deal with your miserable ass all night.”

I can’t believe this man has been my best friend for as long as he has. I should have killed him long ago. I hate when he’s right.

My stomach lurches at the prospect of confronting Kate, but the nausea doubles when I think about Marcy and Rob together. That’s a visual I didn’t need.

Chapter Fifteen

Katherine

Halfway through the second bottle of wine, Arthur fades into the back of my mind. Marcy and I watch MTV while she tells me spills all the delicious gossip about working backstage with all the celebrities.

It’s so difficult not to say anything. I catch myself a few times nearly spilling spoilers for the next thirty-five years. Having this kind of foreknowledge is a curse.

As she tells her stories, I listen intently asking questions and finding ways of relating to the conversation.

“Oh, there are some tasty stories about that man, let me tell you.” She launches into an encounter she had with one of the most prominent men in New York. I bite my tongue because...spoilers.

We finish the bottle of wine, and Marcy volunteers to get a new one from the kitchen. She pops the cork and pouts. “Arthur should really invest in a better wine selection.”

“I don’t know. This stuff isn’t bad.” I sip the red wine. It’s drier than I would normally drink, but overall, it’s good.

Marcy scoffs. “My brother has great taste in everything except wine and women.”

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