Page 66 of The Mermaid's Bubble Lounge
My brain was so scrambled, it took me a minute to realize I was hearing a persistent buzzing. I smacked Clive’s shoulder. “That’s probably Bram. Talk to him while I shower and get ready.”
He rolled to his back and reached for his phone. Grinning at me, he swiped it open. “Bram. It’s good to hear from you.” He paused. “You did? She hadn’t mentioned, but we haven’t had much time to talk.”
Blushing, I grimaced and scampered off to the bathroom. When I was almost done blow-drying my hair, Clive walked past me and stepped into the shower.
“He’s taking the position.”
I turned off the hair dryer. “Really? I thought he loved what he was doing.”
He ducked under the water. “He does, but his second has been ready to be a Master for a long time and Bram is ready to try something new. Like me, he’s been doing the Counselor’s job—in his case, Sebastian’s—for quite a while. The Masters call him if they’re having a dispute and need advice. Sebastian was apparently too busy to take these calls, so they stopped calling him and started contacting Bram.”
I had to tear my eyes away from Clive soaping himself. My brain was going to short out.
“Nonsense.” He crooked his finger. “Come here. I think you could use a little more cleaning.”
I turned the hair dryer back on and pretended I couldn’t hear him, though I did hear the laughing.
As he stepped out and grabbed a towel, he said, “We’re going to meet at The Bubble Lounge before going to the nocturne. The visiting Counselors want to see it and investigate for themselves.”
“Oh, I forgot. Meri gave me some pooka info.” I told him about our pooka visit and her father’s tip for killing one.
Clive wrapped his arms around me, his front to my back. “I know you didn’t make the decision lightly, but I think you were right. It’s too dangerous to stay open when he seems to be fixated on you.”
I gripped his arms. “I’d never forgive myself if he grabbed Meri or Owen—or anyone, for that matter. It’s not worth it.”
He kissed the side of my neck. “Perhaps I’ll be lucky again tomorrow and find my wife in our bed when I wake.” He gave me a quick squeeze and then headed off to his closet to dress.
THIRTY
Passing Notes
I left my hair long, put on some eyeliner, mascara, and lip tint, and then went to my own closet. “So, we’re thinking a cocktail dress, is that it?” I called over.
He stepped into the doorway of my closet, already wearing a crisp white dress shirt and charcoal slacks. “You can wear whatever you’d like. I don’t know that The Bubble Lounge has a specific dress code.”
I nervously pulled the silk robe belt tight. “I know, but I want to look appropriate. I don’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends.”
Chuckling, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me. “You could never embarrass me, and friends may be overstating the relationship.” He pulled back. “I’d forgotten. Does Thi still want me dead? Do we know what that was about?”
“I forgot too,” I told him. “I fell asleep last night. Once I get dressed, we can try to visit her thoughts together, and you can tell me what she’s thinking or what she saw.”
He checked his watch and nodded. “We should have time.” Scanning my clothes, he said, “Personally, I’m still voting for leather pants. If I can’t have those, though, I’d say a little black dress or trousers and a turtleneck, whichever you feel more comfortable in.”
“Okay.” I pushed him out. “You finish getting dressed and I’ll figure it out.” Once he was gone, I went to the far end, where the cocktail dresses were hanging. I pulled down a black dress made of a thin, whisper-soft wool. It was form-fitting on top, though it flared a bit at the hip. Shoulderless, it had a narrow halter tie around the neck.
I couldn’t reach the zipper in the back, but that was okay because I wasn’t sure I could leave the house like this. Yes, my scars were gone now, but I still felt them. I wondered if they’d always be there in my mind.
I was so lost in thought, I hadn’t realized that Clive was back until he was zipping me up. He rested his hands on my exposed shoulders and watched me struggle. “It’s chilly out. You might be more comfortable with a jacket or a cardigan.”
I turned in his arms and rested my head on his chest. Once the tightness in my throat loosened, I said, “Good call.” I had a black cashmere cardigan with brushed silver buttons. I slipped it on and then put on a pair of closed-toe strappy stilettos. I turned to Clive. “Okay?”
“Perfect, though I think you could use some color in your accessories.” He went to the jewelry drawers and pulled out a stunning collar of interlocking platinum swirls with emeralds and blue diamonds nestled in the swoops and dips. I stared and then blinked a few times.
“Where did that come from?” I glanced up at him. “Tell me those aren’t real. What if I lose it?”
“I have faith in you.” He lifted it over my head and secured it in back. It fit perfectly and hid the straps of the dress, so it looked as though the dress itself had an emerald and diamond collar.
“And these.” He handed me emerald earrings and a wide bracelet that matched the necklace. All of which, of course, matched my blue diamond wedding ring.
