Lie, Lie Again(37)

“Tell them to fuck off.”

“I’d get sued for harassment or libel or something. And being that it’s my first year, I’d end up fired. So yeah, bad idea.”

“Don’t let them get to you.”

She smiled. “I’ll try not to. They’re just bored rich people who can get over it, as far as I’m concerned. Thanks for coming here last night.”

“I’ll call you later, okay?”

Just go! The thought was like a sudden flame in her head, but she immediately extinguished it and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek before he left. As she returned to her spot in front of her computer, she tried to focus, but the words on the screen blurred in front of her. Why was she so eager for Chris to go? It wasn’t a good sign. With a sigh, she began typing a letter to the principal.

Before she had a chance to proofread her work, her phone buzzed, and her heart kicked up a notch as she saved the letter as a draft. With her focus on the leprechauns, she’d actually forgotten that she’d texted Brandon. She grabbed her phone and looked at the message.

That’s so cool. Thanks, Riki. Everyone’s been talking about this pilot. I’ll owe you big-time if I get this audition. Send me her info and I’ll have my agent get my stuff to her today.

She gripped the phone and read it again. It was amazing how a tiny typed message could have such a profound effect on her body. It felt good, like the stomach-droppy feeling riding roller coasters gave her. And really, was it so wrong? No one knew. It wasn’t like someone was going to sit her down in an interrogation room and quiz her on how she felt about her neighbor. She kept her feelings carefully guarded, and she would continue to do so. But here, alone in her apartment, it was fine. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift across the driveway and into his apartment. Embry and the kids didn’t exist. He was just a lonely, single, aspiring actor . . . No, scratch that. In her fantasy, he would be a fellow teacher. Maybe a college professor. The thought of him having to do racy nude scenes with a gorgeous actress was gross. She shook her head and imagined him opening the door to her as a smile lit his face.

“Come on in, sweetness. Let me warm you up.”

She would fall into his arms, and he would press her up against the door as his greedy lips found her neck. “Oh, Brandon,” she whispered aloud. “Don’t stop.” She drew her hand to her neck and slid it down her throat.

Beep!

The sound of a text made her jump from her chair. What was she thinking? Well, she wasn’t. She looked at the text.

Thanks again! :)

Only two words. Not necessary, really. Her mind sped ahead, leading her down a forbidden path. He sent that second text to prolong our conversation. It would be so easy to write a little something more. She could add a question and keep things going. But guys like challenges. So she’d leave it. Let him wonder. And she could fantasize that he was checking his phone every few minutes, wishing she’d respond. If she thought about him enough, would he feel it? She sighed. It didn’t matter. But she was going to keep thinking about him all she wanted. In private. It wasn’t hurting anyone. And she needed it. If she ever found someone like him—a guy who managed to make her feel comfortable and roller-coastery at the same time—she would marry him. So much for my point system. She had only just started and was already failing. Well, maybe it just needed fine-tuning. It was okay to dream about him in private, but when she saw him in person, she had to think of him as just another guy, nothing more. She could manage that. It would be fine.



Sylvia stepped off the escalator and headed for the grand entrance of Tiffany & Co. A bulky guard stood near the door, as unmoving as a statue, though more like a fat Buddha than a Michelangelo. She breezed past him. He seemed bored, even though his shift had presumably recently started. Wouldn’t it be fun to sprint through the store acting like a criminal just to see how fast he could move? But no, she wouldn’t do that. She smiled at the salesclerk (or maybe she preferred to be called a diamond expert) and paused to admire a case that could’ve been filled with stars, it shone so brightly. It was true that nothing compared to a Tiffany diamond. She strolled to the area where baby items were displayed, and while she had envisioned something silver and timeless for Hugh’s baby, it was the earthenware elephant bank that caught her eye. It was creamy and white, adorned with tiny green polka dots. Perfect for baby Hunter. And even more perfect for Hugh. Sylvia could almost feel the fear that would chill him when he saw the gift. He had often joked that she had the memory of an elephant. So yes, this was the ideal gift. It would make Hugh sweat and Lily wonder.

She turned, and the saleswoman was right there. Slow day at Tiffany’s, apparently. “I’d like to purchase the elephant bank, please.”

“Oh, it’s precious, isn’t it? I can’t wait for my daughter-in-law to get pregnant so I can buy one for her. It’s perfect for either sex.”

“Yes. It really is. I’d like it wrapped too.”

“Certainly. It’ll only take a minute.”

“Thanks. I’ll just browse a bit while you get it ready.” She slipped her wallet from her purse and passed the woman her AmEx.

Now Sylvia could stroll freely without people watching her. They had her card, so it wasn’t like they’d worry she was going to break open a glass display case and make a run for it, her pockets sagging with sparkling diamonds. Maybe in another lifetime. She smiled to herself. She would actually make a good jewel thief. No one would suspect her.