Page 97 of Midnight Valentine
“Oh no,” says Suzanne, examining my expression. “You’re not going anywhere, girlfriend. Sit your ass down in that chair and pretend to enjoy yourself. I’m gonna get a drink—what do you want?”
“Ginger ale.”
She pushes me into a chair and heads off to the Joker, trailing wisps of gauze like snow. The instant she leaves, a man lowers himself into the chair opposite mine.
It’s Craig.
He’s the only other person in the place in normal clothes, in his case, tan slacks and a black cashmere sweater. His hair is perfect. His smile is perfect. His eyes are as hungry as a crocodile’s.
I grit my teeth in disbelief at how much the universe loves to fuck with me. “What’re you doing here?”
“You’ve been avoiding my calls.”
“So true. Funny how I wouldn’t want to talk to a lying, philandering dick.”
If he’s surprised by my hostility, he doesn’t show it. “How am I a liar?”
“Go away.”
“Or a philanderer?”
“Are you hearing impaired? I said go away.”
A muscle flexes in his jaw. “At least give me the courtesy of an explanation. When I dropped you at your place after we had dinner, I thought everything was great. I thought we had a real connection.”
There’s a sneer in my laugh that makes his eyes darken. “You’re good, I’ll give you that. All your talk of ‘I don’t play games’ and ‘You’ll always know where you stand with me.’ Women must eat that shit up. I mean, I thought it sounded genuine.”
I pause, staring at him with what I hope is pure disgust on my face. “I’m sure Colleen thinks so too. Tell me, how long did it take you to call her after you dropped me at my front door? Ten seconds? Twenty?”
After a beat, he leans back in his chair, crosses his legs, folds his hands in his lap, and smiles. “You’re adorable when you’re jealous.”
He thinks I’m jealous? The ego on this idiot. He’s lucky there isn’t any cutlery on the table, because he’d have a fork embedded in his forehead right about now.
I say with freezing calm, “Time to fuck off, Craig. And if you don’t want me telling your girlfriend Colleen what a giant piece of shit you are, make it quick.”
“She isn’t my girlfriend.”
“If you don’t get out of my face within five seconds, I’ll find something to stab you with.”
His smile grows indulgent, like he’s dealing with a cute, fussing baby. “Don’t be silly. You’ll do no such thing.”
I lean in on my elbows, rest my chin on my hands, and smile back at him with all my teeth showing. “Haven’t you heard, Craig? I’m. Fucking. Nuts.”
When he blinks, I know I’ve finally broken through.
“Oh, Craig! Hi! Fancy seeing you here!” Suzanne stands at the side of the table, holding two drinks and gazing at Craig with all the warmth of an iceberg.
I haven’t told her about my talk with Colleen at the pharmacy, so her reaction is all about his brush-off when the three of us had dinner. I’ve always liked a woman who can hold a grudge.
“Hello, Suzanne,” he says smoothly, rising. “How nice to see you again. You look beautiful.” He ogles her cleavage, not bothering to be the tiniest bit discreet about it.
Jesus Christ. The man is single-handedly eroding my faith in humankind.
“I know,” says Suzanne flatly, and pushes past him to sit down.
Then the universe decides it hasn’t had nearly enough fun for the evening and produces Colleen.
She’s wearing a tight black Catwoman costume and looks fantastic. Nary a baby bump in sight. “Hi, ladies,” she says, smiling. She glances at Craig, standing there with his plastic grin fixed on his face. “Have you met Craig?”
