Suckered by Gina LaManna

Author:Gina LaManna [LaManna, Gina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LaManna Books
Published: 2016-09-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

“I’ve gotta work on my disappearing act,” Meg said as we climbed the stairs. “That’s the only thing Beckett’s got on me. I’m not quite that subtle.”

“I never would have guessed.”

“Really?” Meg’s face brightened. “I’ve been practicing.”

“I never would have guessed,” I said again, knocking on the door to Carlos and Nora’s apartment. I crossed my fingers, hoping they were up for babysitting duty, but unfortunately, there was no answer. “Is Clay home?”

Meg shrugged, opened Door A and hollered inside for Clay. No answer there, either.

“Dang it! Who will watch Arnold?” I looked down at the bedraggled doll.

“I will,” Meg said. “I think he likes me.”

“Yeah, but you swung him at our attacker’s head.”

“It saved your life.”

“Touché.” I let us inside my apartment.

Meg went straight to the kitchen and opened the fridge. “You’ve got no food!”

“Let’s go to lunch after I shower. Make yourself at home!” Escaping into my bedroom, I grabbed my towel. Then I grabbed Arnold. My phone sat on top of the towel, so it came with me, too.

Anthony had texted me some of his favorite emojis earlier and a few sweet messages, so at least I knew he was alive. But I missed talking to him, so I dialed his number on my way to the bathroom.

“Hello?” he answered, and my whole body flooded with happiness.

“Hi!” I said, unable to mask my giddiness. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, sugar. How are you?”

“Good.” I lied a little, looking down at myself, and visualizing a world where I didn’t have scrapes all over my body and the blue gel caked in my hair. “Fantastic, actually. Are you coming back soon?”

“On my way to the airport now,” he said, and I could feel him smile across the phone. “How’s that sitter situation for tonight? I expect Arnold to be gone when I get home.”

I looked down at the odd plastic thing in my arms, a strange pang of some emotion tugging at my heartstrings. “He’s not so bad, Anthony.”

“Lacey.”

“What?”

“Don’t tell me you’re starting to love Baby Arnold.”

“I wouldn’t say love…” I argued.

“It’s just one night away from him.”

“Fine,” I said with a sigh. “But it’s his first night away from home.”

“I’ll make it worthwhile, I promise.”

Anthony’s deep, husky voice sent tingles through my nerves. “Oh, okay. Well in that case, maybe he can stay with Nora. She’s right across the hall, after all.”

“I’ll see you soon, doll. I have to get ready for my flight. I’m planning on going straight to the venue. Where should I meet you?”

“Just call me when you land. I’m not sure where we’ll be.”

“I miss you.”

“I’ll see you soon,” I said. “Now, say goodbye to Arnold.”

There was a long pause. A really, really long pause.

And then finally, “Goodbye, Arnold.”

I hung up feeling happy. Once again, I brought Arnold into the shower with me, humming a little ditty as I rinsed us both off. I climbed back out, re-entering the kitchen—Arnold wrapped in one towel, me in another.

Meg looked up, processed the sight of us, and then shook her head.

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