When he smiled, it was clear I’d stepped right into his trap. “I bet you will.”

With an answering smile on my face, I punched him hard enough in the shoulder to make him yelp.

As I followed him down the stairs, I reminded myself that curiosity killed the cat. Of course, the cat couldn’t help but be curious. Maybe that was why it had nine lives.

Somehow, I didn’t think I’d get so many.

7

Anubis

LILA

Nearly a week passed, and I found myself too busy to think much about Brock. I had dress fittings and bridal showers to coordinate. Caters to direct and musicians to book. Far too much to do to be bothered with thoughts of that asshole or the way my life had been spun around.

During the days, at least. The nights were a different story.

I’d work myself until I could barely stand, let alone have time for idle thoughts. I’d be dead on my feet, dragging myself into bed, and the second the lights went out, my mind came alive with every choice I’d made and ever lie I’d accepted to bring me to that moment.

I wondered if it would get better after I went to the old apartment today to pick up a few things, like my dignity and hopefully the closure I hoped I’d left there.

Of course, today wouldn’t be any less busy than the last week had been. I’d found myself in Longbourne almost every day. Ivy had cut back her hours so deep, she was rarely there when I came. But rather than deal with Tess as expected, I’d been foisted upon Kash in full, it seemed.

A week ago, I might have minded. But after everything that had happened, Kash was the least of my problems. In fact, I’d started to look forward to the dirty gardener with the shaggy hair and the broad shoulders. I could give him all I had, and he’d take it with that lazy smile he always seemed to wear, unaffected and easy as a rule. Somehow it was a comfort, to know that even when I was at my biggest and loudest and most barkey, he could handle it. Handle me.

And I had to admit it was nice to be handled just a little.

I slipped out of my cab, looking up at the Perry building where I worked.