Close Liaisons (The Krinar Chronicles 1)

“No, he can’t stay,” said Mia. “And it doesn’t matter. We’re not right for each other, anyway. The relationship was doomed from the start.”

“Why did you start it then?” asked Marisa, eyeing her with bewilderment. “Is he really good-looking? Did he sweep you off your feet or something?”

Mia nodded. “He’s gorgeous, and he’s smart, and he knows a lot about everything . . .” Those were all true statements. “And he took me out to all kinds of fancy restaurants and Broadway shows –”

“Wow, Mia,” said Marisa, looking envious for the first time in Mia’s memory, “that sounds like a dream guy.”

Mia smiled. “And he’s also a great cook, and does laundry –”

“Oh my God, where did you find this paragon?”

“I know, right? Mom would have a cow if she heard about this.”

And the sisters grinned at each other in perfect understanding.

Then Marisa got serious again. “So why can’t it work out for the two of you? He sounds perfect. Does he have some major character flaw that you can’t stand?”

“Well, he’s very bossy and autocratic,” admitted Mia, “so I definitely have a problem with that. And where he comes from, they don’t necessarily view, um, women . . . as equals, if you know what I mean?” That was as close to the truth as she could get.

Marisa’s eyes widened in understanding. “Ohhh, is he one of those Middle Eastern types? With a harem and all . . . who require their women to be veiled from head to toe?”

Mia shrugged. “Something like that. So it could never really go anywhere. We come from very different worlds.” Mia meant that in the literal sense, but Marisa didn’t need to know that.

“Wow, baby sis.” Marisa was looking at her with newfound respect. “I have to say, you’ve surprised me. No boring college boys for you . . . oh, no – you’ve gone straight for the big leagues. A sheikh from Dubai, huh?”

Mia flushed. “He’s not a sheikh, just an executive.”

“Wow.” Her sister was still looking impressed. “So did he give you any fancy gifts or jewelry?”

Mia smiled. Her sister was so predictable sometimes. Even though she lived a simple life for the most part, Marisa definitely appreciated the finer things in life – nice hotels, designer clothes, beautiful accessories.

“He bought me a whole new wardrobe from Saks Fifth Avenue,” admitted Mia. “He really didn’t like my old clothes –”

“OH MY GOD, FROM SAKS?” Marisa’s shriek was ear-piercing. “Are you serious? You’ve gotta let me borrow something when you come!”

Mia laughed. “Of course! Whatever you want, it’s yours.”

“Oh crap, never mind,” said Marisa, “I just realized that soon I won’t be able to borrow anything from anyone – especially from my tiny baby sister. In a couple of months, I’ll be a total cow.”

“Oh please,” said Mia, laughing at the image of her svelte sister looking even remotely cow-like, “you’ll look like one of those actresses in Hollywood – all normal, just with a cute little baby bump.”

Marisa shuddered. “I certainly hope so. But I have to say, so far, pregnancy is nothing like what I’d imagined.”

Mia looked at her sympathetically. “That sucks. Hang in there, okay? It’s just a few more months, and then you’ll have a beautiful child . . .”

Marisa beamed at her. “That’s true. And you too, baby sis, hang in there, okay? Call me if you ever want to talk about Mr. Gorgeous again. And I promise I won’t say anything to the parents. You’re right – they would worry unnecessarily. This type of stuff is best left for talks with your sister.”

Mia smiled and said, “That’s what I thought. I love you. Say hello to Connor for me, okay?”

“Will do,” said Marisa, and disconnected with one final wave.

Relieved, Mia stared at the blank computer screen. She had lied to her family, but at least she’d managed to prevent them from freaking out completely. In a way, the conversation with Marisa had been therapeutic. Although she couldn’t tell her sister the whole truth, she’d been able to share enough details to make herself feel much better about the situation. Marisa’s nonjudgmental, sympathetic ear had been exactly what she’d needed at this point.

Now she had to finish editing the paper – and then she will have completed everything she’d set out to do for the day.

Chapter 22

Now that she was done with studying, Mia had no idea what to do with herself. Waking up on Thursday morning, she submitted her papers online and decided to go for a walk in Central Park. Korum again left early in the morning, before she had woken up, so she was on her own for the day. She texted Jessie, but her roommate had her Calculus exam in the afternoon and was frantically cramming. Mia wished there was someone else she could hang out with, just to avoid being alone with her thoughts, but most other students were too busy packing for the summer or still in the middle of finals.