Page 109 of Dark, Forbidden, & Taboo

“Um,” she finally says tentatively as she tucks her hair behind her ear. “I guess I owe you an explanation.”

I set my fork down and give her my undivided attention. I won’t speak until I absolutely have to, because I don’t want to upset her and stop her from telling me where she was for almost the entire night.

I clear my throat as I fold one arm over the other on the table, and lean slightly forward.

Do you ever,I think evenly.

“I was taking out the trash last night and …” she looks down, biting her lower lip so damn hard, I’m surprised she hasn’t drawn blood yet.

“And?” I press in a stern tone.

Ava takes a deep breath as she looks up at me. “You have to promise me that you won’t overreact.”

I roll my eyes and nod once in agreement.

“And Finley was outside.”

I sit up so quickly that when I inadvertently bump the table, the utensils clatter slightly.

“Wait, let me finish,” she pleads, her eyes becoming dangerously watery.

I grind my teeth together and lean back in my seat. I gesture with my hand for her to continue and do my best to hold onto my end of the bargain of notoverreactingto anything else she may divulge.

Or leave out.

“Okay, so he got my attention, and I went over to talk to him for a little bit.” Ava pauses long enough to look up at me before she diverts her eyes toward the wall, then continues, “And he said he was lost, so I was going to give him directions… but then I got in his car.”

“That’s enough, Ava. Go to your room and stay there,” I tell her as I get to my feet.

“No, I’m not done yet, Aunt Celeste. You have to let me finish.”

I place the tips of my fingers firmly against the table, close my eyes tightly, and against my better judgment, nod again.

As Ava tells me all about their sordid little escapade the night before, I wonder why I’m losing all of the anger I felt when she snuck in.

And why it with was her instead of me.

Chapter 10

Finley

“What the fuck did you do now?” Ry’s voice barks at me through the phone.

“Good morning to you too, big sister,” I reply groggily through a laugh.

“It’s afternoon, and I’m serious, Finley; what did you do? That crazy lady has called the shop five times in a row demanding to talk to you.”

I sit up in bed as I rub my face tiredly with a hand. “Which one, Ry?”

I didn’t mean for the question to come out as cocky as it did, but I’m used to clients taking my personality for more than it’s worth and assuming I want to move in with them or some shit.

Rya laughs despite herself, then lets out a heavy sigh. “Celeste.”

I stifle a yawn as I lie back down and close my eyes.

“To her? Nothing.”

“Fin—”

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