Page 119 of Whiskey Wednesdays

She blanched, and I knew I’d scored a hit as well. “You don’t know–”

“Yes, I do. You need to leave so I can go console Elodie and try to undo whatever damage Amelia, and you, did to her.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You didn’tprotecther.”

She studied me, her eyes going a little glassy. “I just want Elodie to know her mother.”

“And we want Elodie to be happy and safe. I think that’s more important. Call Connor and talk to him if you have anything else to say.”

She stared at me, then slowly walked out the door. I locked it behind her and went to find Elodie. She was curled up on her bed.

“Hey. I take it you saw your mom and it didn’t go well.”

Elodie turned her head, and I saw tears in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Grown-ups can be real assholes sometimes.” I looked at her worriedly. “Am I going to owe you two, or three bucks for that word?”

Her lips twitched, and she scooted next to me. “I don’t have a bet with you.”

“Do you want to talk about what happened?”

She shrugged. “I guess.”

“You don’t have to, but sometimes it helps me to talk about what hurts me.” I was bad at it, but it did help sometimes.

“Mom came to the lunch place.”

“Huh.” I wanted to punch Geneviève.

“She started saying mean things about Dad. And then about you. Then she said mean things about me.”

I squeezed her shoulder. “She didn’t mean what she said about you. She’s mad at me for being with your dad. I think she wants to be with him.”

“But Dad doesn’t like her,” she whispered. “I don’t like her either.”

She sounded heartbroken, and I didn’t know how to make her feel better. So I just held her.

After a while, I talked Elodie into seeing if Connor had the ingredients for cookies. We were rummaging through the cupboards when I heard the front door unlock and open.

“Hey, we’re in here,” I yelled, thinking it was Connor.

I heard a shrill female voice, and turned to see a woman who looked a lot like Geneviève walk into the kitchen. She was gorgeous and reminded me of a Botticelli painting with her perfect pale complexion and long, flowing hair.

Noah walked in behind her. My stomach dropped and I quickly took my phone out of my back pocket to speed-dial Connor. He didn’t pick up so I called Titus next.

“Hello again, you little bitch.” Noah leaned against the wall and stared at me, then looked down at my phone. I lowered it to my side, hoping he wouldn’t try to take it away, and prayed Titus had picked up.

Glancing at Elodie, I held out my other hand. “Come over here sweetheart. I don’t want you near him.”

Noah sneered. “You don’t want her nearme? You’re the dirty, poor hired help.”

“So you think anyone who works for a living is dirty and poor?”

He scoffed. “Where the fuck is Connor?”

“What are you doing in Connor’s house? You aren’t supposed to be here.”

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