Page 13 (1/2)

She pullsand I’m momentarily stunned “Yep, in the flesh”

She pulls back and looks athas it been? A feeeks now?”

I roll one for four months Nice of you to notice”

She ignores otten taller?”

“Really, Cybil? Don’t you think I’ by now?”

She gasps “Oh my fuck! I knohat’s different! You’re older! You had a birthday, didn’t you?”

“I sure did The big one-eight I can legally buy your cigarettes now Yay me!”

She smiles “Oh, that’s wonderful dear You’ll be able to fully support yourself now”

I raise est I do that? Part-tiet paid very well, Moas without my tips School starts soon I can’t work more than twenty hours per week once that happens This is s on my plate as it is I need toa scholarship As the parent in this relationship, you should understand that”

My eyes shift to theup behind her He places his meaty paws on her shoulders and scoots her behind hihtly taller than her so I’d guess he’s around six feet or so He’s in his mid-forties maybe, with a full head of hair and an i in front ofelse “Who’s this lovely creature, Cybil?”

My hackles rise “I’hter Who the fuck are you?”

He laughs “Oh, Katherine, right? Yeah, your mom has told me all about you She warned me you had a bit of a bite”

“She has?” I have a hard ti my shock Not at his veiled reference to my attitude, but the fact that she mentioned me at all

He swings an ar “Yes, of course she has She also told ”

“Thanks,” I reply snidely “You still didn’t tell me who you are”