Page 57 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
“Thanks. But Tony isn’t coming.”
“Yeah, I know.” Bobbi gives me a small smirk and demolishes her three sandwiches before I’m halfway done with mine. She has the appetite of an NFL player. But she doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her. Except for her smallish breasts.
“Where does it all go?” I ask.
She flexes an arm. “Gotta be in shape if I’m going to get between you and a bullet in time.”
“There probably won’t be a bullet.”
She shrugs. “Or a knife. Or a baseball bat.”
I try to imagine Sam swinging a bat at me, but can’t. It just isn’t his style. But Marty? Most definitely. He loves to brag about how athletic and awesome he is. I’ve never seen him play anything, so I don’t know for sure. But since he has zero musical talent and everyone’s good at something, maybe he’s decent at sports. I hope it doesn’t come to that, though. Sam likes to be part of high society, and I don’t think its members think highly of assault and battery.
“I’ll clean up,” I say when we’re done with lunch.
“Thanks.” Bobbi watches me put things in the dishwasher. “You aren’t like a lot of clients.”
“In what way?”
“You actually clean up after yourself.” She looks around. “No servants.”
“Wouldn’t it be weird to have people in your home all the time? Lack of privacy?”
“Makes some people feel important.”
“I don’t care about that kind of thing. I just want to be normal.” I’m still trying to figure out how to be that.
“You are.”
“Really?” I say, happy she thinks so.
“Yeah. Strangely so.”
My joy dims. “How can I be normal and strange at the same time?”
“You don’t fit your social setting. The women guys like Anthony date, they look like they’re ready to attend a fancy party twenty-four seven, plucked and facialed until they’re as smooth and glowing as a light bulb.”
I feel torn between being flattered and horrified. I didn’t need to try that hard to rise above Bobbi’s expectations. On the other hand, she’s had some shitty clients, so I shouldn’t be too insulted. Besides, let’s focus on the positive stuff—she thinks I’m normal!
“So you’re going to nap now?” Bobbi asks.
“Maybe half an hour.” I start toward the deck. Today’s so beautiful and warm. I want to sun and doze off for a bit. But then the intercom buzzes. It’s Julie. What’s she doing here so early?
I open the door. She’s in a fancy lavender Gucci dress she got when we were in Rome together last year. Her hair’s pulled back into an elegant French twist, and flawless makeup covers her face. Fresh pink lacquer shines on her fingers.
“Are you going somewhere?” I ask, wondering if she can’t stay to watch me and Yuna play.
“Nope. Just here.”
She swishes inside. I stare at her back, then down at myself. I feel pretty underdressed in a white shirt and denim shorts. And my bare feet! She’s in a pair of silver stilettos.
When I just stand there, wondering if there’s a dress code I wasn’t aware of, she loops her arm around mine. Bobbi watches her like she’s an unusual zoo animal.
“Come on. You gotta take a look at this.” Julie drags me to the Steinway and slaps a bright yellow book on it.
“What’s that?”
“Rachmaninoff’s Suite Number Two. You weren’t planning on playing it without any practice, were you?”
