Page 65 of Stealing Blinds

I laugh and dab on my lip gloss. “No truer words have ever been spoken.”

She dismisses my sarcasm and taps her coffee mug with her index finger, which is her working-an-angle tell. “Let’s say, this time, I’m wrong, and Cash doesn’t have the ability to commit. Then why not just enjoy it? You are rarely the player. Although you had some good runs in your college days. Summon that energy. Let him spoil you—in any way he’s willing—with the intention of moving on eventually.”

It’s not like I haven’t debated that, but the verdict of that internal argument always comes out the same. “I don’t know if I can.”

“You like him,” she accuses from her all-knowing maternal perch.

“He’s the kind of person everyone likes. It’s not that. It’s just …” Words to explain it fail me.

“You’re getting attached. Maybe that isn’t the worst thing. On the other side of this—”

“It’s not the best either,” I cut her off because I doubted my ability to make it to the other side of this job before she told me why my father was murdered. Now I know hope is the enemy. “More to lose. More to worry about. More disappointments. More obstacles.” A notification drops onto the screen. “The girls are texting me. I’d better go.”

“The girls—that’s good. Enjoy your birthday, Sylvie.”

“Wait.” I hold up my palm so she doesn’t hang up, and when she nods, I go on, “You haven’t told Flora where I am, right?”

“I promised you I wouldn’t give her specifics, but she’ll want to talk to you for your birthday.”

I gave her my new cell number, but I can’t deal today. “Can you ask her not to call?”

Her heavy exhale delivers her despondency over the whole situation. “She feels you pulling back again, and she … she wants to make it right. You can’t dodge her forever, honey.”

“I can’t trust her either.”

“I get that.”

“Okay,” I breathe. “So, please, let me have this. Just this day.”

“Of course.”

“Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, angel.”

I end the call and check the texts.

Zara: Today is your day! Girls’ lunch after your meeting with Axel?

Tessa: You can’t say no. We’re celebrating you.

Mercy: Remy’s coming, too, so it’s not only girls.

Zara: He is part of the kidnapping plan today. We showed him a video of you flying. He’s in love.

Mercy: He’ll talk your ear off about it and sing you “Happy Birthday,” but he’ll zone out when the food comes and we can have girl time.

Me: Tessa’s right. I can’t say no to any of that.

As I’m leaving Cash’s room, one more text comes through that leaves me wondering what I’m walking into.

Zara: Cash might be in full Daddy mode for your meeting. Take deep breaths. We’ll pump you full of drinks when it’s over.

SYLVIE

Cash is waiting for me outside of Axel’s office when I get there. He’s wearing a button-up with the collar open and dress pants. And he’s doing that suave leaning thing he does—one hand in his pocket, ankles crossed, shoulder braced on the wall. I’d judge him if it didn’t work brilliantly. But my insides turn to goo, and heat pools between my legs. I can’t even be angry about all the women ogling him last night. Who could ignore that?

“Have a good morning, Sly?”