The Case Of The Night Mark (Samantha Rain Mysteries Book 1) by Arizona Tape

Author:Arizona Tape [Tape, Arizona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vampari Press
Published: 2020-02-29T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14.

A moment of sheer awkwardness passed where the three women stared at each other. With pursed lips, Sam waited for Melissa’s inevitable outburst, but it never came.

“Who is this?” Melissa gestured to the beautiful woman sat at the marble kitchen island, her voice calm and collected.

“This is, umm—”

Lilith rose from barstool with the elegance of a jungle cat and held out her hand. “Lilith. You must be Melissa.”

“I am.”

“I’ve heard lots about you.”

“Really?” Melissa shot her a polite smile. “Sam hasn’t mentioned you before. What did you say your name was again?”

“Lilith.”

Stunned, Sam watched the two women exchange pleasantries. There wasn’t the faintest flicker of jealousy detectable on Melissa’s face, which was unusual. A week ago, she’d have started World War III if she found another woman sitting in their kitchen this early. Today, nothing.

Unsure how to handle the situation, Sam gestured to Lilith. “Lilith is… ummm… I’m consulting on her case.”

“Oh, really?” Melissa asked, her disinterest thinly veiled. “Isn’t she a little young to be a detective?”

“I’m sitting right here,” Lilith remarked, her sharp voice slicing through the strange tension.

An apologetic look stretched across the other woman’s face as she nodded. “My bad.”

Without saying anything else, Melissa rummaged through the drawers and cupboards until she found her favourite enamel dish and baking gloves. “That’ll do for now.”

“Okay.” Eager to separate the two, Sam ushered Melissa out of the kitchen. “Off you go then.”

“Yes, yes, I must dash. Yoga waits for nobody.”

Relieved, Sam handed her one of her bags. “I still don’t get why you like that so much, but have fun.”

“I will. Good luck at work with your associate,” Melissa replied politely.

“Thank you.” With a smile, Sam pulled the door open. “It’s nice to be civil. I feared you’d be jealous or something.”

As soon the words rolled off her tongue and she saw Melissa’s face, she knew she shouldn’t have said anything. If she’d kept her mouth shut, her ex would’ve left and everything would’ve been fine.

Melissa turned to her, a frown weaved between her eyebrows. “Jealous? Why would I be jealous? I mean, look at her.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sam countered.

“Nothing. It means nothing.”

“You don’t think someone like Lilith would go for me?”

“I didn’t say that. She’s just… Not everyone knows how to appreciate you.”

Sam’s eyes widened. That was a punch to the gut. “Wow... Wow.”

“Don’t look at me like that. She’s just very young and you are, well…” Melissa gestured to Samantha. “You.”

Another hurtful remark that hit home. It was even made worse that she said them all in such a calm and collected tone as if they were facts, not just her opinion.

“You know, you’re only two years younger than me,” Sam countered bitterly. It was a weak and pathetic response, but she couldn’t think of anything better.

Melissa let out a long sigh. “I don’t understand the conversation we’re having. Do you want me to be jealous?”

“No. But your comment is very insulting.”

“Quite,” Lilith suddenly quipped in, appearing in the arch of the kitchen. With swaying hips and clacking heels, she approached the two women quibbling at the front door.

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