The Sinner
Page 67
“What are you doing over there, Luce?” Cole asked, shutting his laptop. “Having seances? Playing with a Ouija board?”
“Not…lately.”
“Don’t. It’s not safe.”
“I didn’t know you were a believer in that stuff.”
“I’m not. Not really. But there are energies out there and it’s not smart to poke at stuff we don’t understand. Who knows what you might wake up?”
“That is very good advice,” I said. That I could’ve used a week ago.
“But Luce, you’re a researcher. You could have looked it up yourself.”
“You mean, you don’t like being my personal Google?”
“I know your face, and you’ve got something on your mind. How are things with you and Cas? Or is it you and Guy?”
“Not sure yet,” I said. “My boss’s wedding is on Saturday, and I have a feeling a lot of unresolved somethings will be figured out then.”
“Is Cas your plus-one?”
“I think so. Maybe. But as friends.”
A lie. Cas would come as a decoy. As the escort Abby thinks he is. But not as a friend. Casziel Abisare wasn’t a friend.
He’s so much more that all of those things. If only I knew what.
“I take it Operation Get the Guy is still in effect?”
I forced a laugh. “Guy asked me to save a dance for him. I think something might be happening.” Cole frowned but I cut him off at the pass. “What about you? How’s your love life going?”
“Me? My love life is represented by the number zero, which indicates there will be no indiscretions or sins any time soon. But that’s by choice. I’ve sworn off men.”
“Noooo, you can’t. You need to share your awesomeness with at least one other person.”
He laughed. “I see what you did there. Nah, guys are too much drama.” He glanced at his watch. “Shit, break time’s up. But before I go, let me ask you a question. You’re at your boss’s wedding. Cas and Guy are both standing across the room—”
“No rooms. It’s at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park.”
“Okay, the Boat—wait, really? Nice. So Cas and Guy are standing on the other side of Bow Bridge. One of them crosses to you, sweeps you into his arms, and dances with you until the sun comes up. Which one is it?”
My cheeks warmed. “Jeez, Cole. For someone who’s sworn off men, you’re quite the romantic.”
“You’re avoiding the question.”
“It’s more complicated than what I want.” I plucked at my ratty couch cushion. “Someday I’ll explain it all to you. When it all seems less crazy.”
“Fine, you’re off the hook. Because this magazine no one reads isn’t going to edit itself. Love you.”
“Love you.”
I blew him a kiss and ended the FaceTime, then got ready for work, feeling better after the injection of real life from talking to Cole. I grabbed the Macy’s bag with the dress I’d bought for Kimberly’s wedding. Abby said it wouldn’t be alluring enough for Guy, so I was going to take it back on my lunchbreak and get something better.
Do I care if Guy likes my dress?
I had to care. For Casziel’s sake. Our grand plan’s success was necessary for his redemption. But…
“If a Guy falls in the forest and there’s no one there to hear it…?”