A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton

Author:Maggie Sefton [Sefton, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf, mobi
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2012-07-20T16:41:36+00:00

Eleven

Kelly toyed with the rim of her water goblet. “You’re certain they were having an affair?” she asked.

“Positively,” Eugene said, settling into the fashionable restaurant’s thick upholstered chair. “One can always tell.” He winked.

“Always,” Jennifer agreed sagely, before taking another bite of her chocolate mousse.

Kelly stared at the same tempting chocolate decadence that sat on her plate, untouched. Eugene really knew how to pick a restaurant.

“But she was still taking courses for her master’s back then. How’d she manage a long-distance love affair and study?” Kelly wondered out loud. “Boy, that’s a lot of driving.”

Eugene laughed softly. “Obviously, my dear, you’ve never been head-over-heels in love. Distance heightens desire. Especially for a hopeless romantic like Allison. She was truly swept away.”

“Kelly wouldn’t know about that,” Jennifer observed. “She’s a workaholic accountant. They don’t sweep.”

Kelly made a face at Jennifer before sampling her chocolate mousse. Silky smooth and luscious. “I was swept away once. At least I thought I was. My mistake.”

“He was just the wrong guy, that’s all,” Jennifer said, leaning toward Eugene. “But there’s another guy in the wings now, and he’s definitely a winner.”

“Oooo, tell,” encouraged Eugene.

“Excuse me? We were discussing Allison’s love life not mine.”

“You don’t have one. What’s to discuss?”

Deliberately ignoring Jennifer, Kelly zeroed in on Eugene again. He was laughing, obviously enjoying their repartee. “A-hem. Let’s get back to Allison and Brian Silverstone. You said she was in love, but what about this Brian?”

Eugene gave an elegant shrug. “I suppose Brian’s always in love with his young conquests at first. He fancies himself an all-knowing mentor who helps them unleash their talent. Of course, the unleashing comes at a high price. He manages to convince them that their most innovative ideas are actually inspired by his work.”

“Sounds manipulative,” Kelly said before savoring the last spoonful of creamy chocolate.

“Very,” he said with a frown. “I’ve seen some very promising young women lose their creative spark after being with Brian. That’s why I was actually glad Allison left before he could ruin her, too.”

“She left him? Good for her,” Jennifer added with a righteous nod as she licked her spoon.

“How’d that happen?” Kelly probed. “Was there an argument or something? You said Allison’s work was attracting attention and awards. I’ll bet he was jealous.”

“First, coffee.” Eugene beckoned the waiter over. “I’ll have a double espresso, and she will have regular coffee. Black,” he ordered, indicating Kelly. Glancing to Jennifer, he grinned. “And she will have one of your wicked white chocolate mochas.”

“Eugene, you read my mind,” Jennifer said with a smile.

“Actually, you read mine, too,” Kelly admitted.

“I sleep with a psychic,” Eugene said with a wave. “It rubs off.”

Kelly wasn’t about to follow that line, even though she could tell Jennifer was dying to. Instead, she asked, “Surely you’re not going to make us wait until the coffee before you tell us what happened? Why’d Allison leave? Did she finally recognize what was happening?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure, but rumor has it that Brian was trying to use Allison to weasel his way back into the Santa Fe art scene.

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