“If he is watching me, Rowan,” I said, “it’s because he’s suspicious of me. After what happened last night, that’s only going to get worse.”
“You think so?” Rowan asked, way too cheerfully, and took a bite of her sandwich.
“It’s complicated.” I sighed and fiddled with my soft drink. “Henry and I, well...we had a little incident at the office yesterday morning.”
“I knew it!”
“We had a fight.”
“You had sex.” She pointed at me. “It’s about time girl!”
My face went hot, and I dropped my head in my hands.
“Oh honey, was it bad?” All sympathy, Rowan patted my arm.
“It was okay. It’s a little hard to explain.”
“Tell me,” she said.
So I swallowed my pride and told my cousin what happened at the office, and how I’d bolted afterwards. She sat silently for a few moments.
“I feel like I got played, Rowan.”
“You should thank your lucky stars he was considerate enough to use protection.”
“But that meant he’d had them on hand—”
Rowan burst out laughing.
“Nearby,” I corrected. “He had them nearby.”
“Edmund,” Rowan managed to get out between shrieks of laughter.
“Edmund?” I asked. “What the hell does Edmund have to do with anything?”
“I bet Edmund gave him a box of condoms as a house warming present,” Rowan said.
“For goddess sake.” I rubbed my forehead.
“Didn’t he give you a box, after you first moved in here with Eli?” Rowan pointed out, “And told you to ‘play safe’?”
“Shit,” I remembered. “Yes. Yes, he did.”
“I bet you still have them. You probably never even opened the box. My money says they’re in your night stand drawer. My guess is Henry shoved his box in a desk drawer, and when you and he went after each other yesterday, he put them to use.”
I tossed up my hands. “Whose side are you on?”
“Hannah, I’m on your side, always.” Rowan’s lips were trembling from holding back laughter. “I’m right though, aren’t I? Still in the box in your nightstand?”
“Yeah.” Right next to that emerald ring that has me so confused and twisted up inside.
“Is the box still unopened?”
“Shut up.” I glared at her.
Rowan smiled. “I saw you talking to Henry poolside yesterday after dinner. Did you two get into it again?”
“We did,” I admitted, and gave her the details.
“Juicy!” Rowan said with a little sigh. “So, you stomp off, get a clairolfactory warning, and eventually catch an arsonist in the act.” Rowan took a sip of soda. “How did Henry end up over there anyway?”
“I’ve been wondering that myself,” I admitted. “I guess he followed me when I ran across the street.”
“Hannah, he probably thought he was protecting you.” Rowan tossed her braid over her shoulder. “The man has no idea how well you can protect yourself.”
“Well, the bad news is, he probably does now.”
“Eat your lunch.” Rowan abruptly changed the topic, and pushed my untouched sandwich in front of me. “Afterwards I’m going to do your face and hair.”
“Sweetie, I appreciate the offer, but I’m really not in the mood.”
“You’re going to change your mind.” Rowan’s eyes took on a topaz glow. “Because Henry Walker will be coming to see you tonight.”
My stomach lurched at the thought of another confrontation. “You’re sure?” I asked my cousin. “Tonight?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” Rowan nodded. “So eat your lunch and then let me work my magick.”
***
A floral delivery from Nathan and Ivy arrived right after Rowan left. The big vase of sunflowers and carnations were bright and cheerful, so I set them on the kitchen table where I could enjoy them. Grateful for the distraction, I called to thank them and spent a half hour convincing my younger brother that I was, indeed, okay.
Finally, Ivy yanked the phone away from him.
“Swear to goddess Pogue, I’ll strike you mute if you don’t stop haranguing your sister.” I heard her tell my brother. “Hey there Wonder Woman,” she said to me. “How are you feeling?”
I couldn’t help but grin. “I’m feeling better. Thanks for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome. Hey, if you need anything, you call us. Okay?” Ivy said. “Anything at all.”
“I will,” I said and meant it. “Thanks, Ivy.”
“Cool,” she said. “Now I’d better let you go. Because you’re about to have company.”
“That’s the second time today I’ve had someone tell me that.”
“Yeah well, he’s walking up the steps, right now. Talk to you later!” Ivy cheerfully said goodbye and hung up.
When the knock sounded on my door, I took a deep breath, and got up to check the spy hole. As was predicted, Henry Walker stood on the little landing, staring back at me almost as if he could see me through the door.
“Just a minute,” I called out. I checked my appearance in the mirror. My hair fell in loose waves, and the makeup was fairly natural but with an edge. Rowan had also browbeat me into changing into a flattering lavender dress of soft jersey material. Suddenly very grateful I’d let Rowan work her mo-jo, I took a steadying breath and went to open the door. Here we go, I thought.
“Hannah,” he said, and before I could react, he leaned in and dropped a quick hard kiss on my mouth.
Stunned, I didn’t move a muscle. “Hello Henry,” I said. Of all the ways I’d expected to be greeted, him planting one on me was not what I anticipated.
One corner of his mouth kicked up. “You look nice.”
“Uh, thank you,” I managed, and stepped back so he could enter. “Would you like to come in?” I asked politely.
He went straight to the couch “How’s your leg?” he said. “Edmund told me you got some stitches.” He patted the cushion next to him.
“It’s sore, but I’m okay.” I chose the overstuffed chair, wanting to keep some distance between us. There was something about him sitting in my house that had my stomach muscles clenching. The man’s unpredictability made me nervous, and I didn’t like that. Not at all. Going for casual, I sat down carefully to avoid hitting the back of my leg against anything. “How are you feeling?” I asked
