Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 138003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“You’re an artist now,” Lavender says. “And when your masterpiece is finished, I’m going to hang it up. Well, if that’s okay? You can always bring it home if you’d prefer.”
“Nononono!” Daisy practically bounces with excitement. “Keep it for the gallery, like I’m a real artist.”
“Okay then.” Lavender, the master of the understatement smiles a secret smile. She’s enjoying being around my niece, it would seem. “You are a real artist, you know.”
“How?” Daisy asks.
“Anyone who makes art is.”
My phone vibrates again. Lavender tsks.
“Such bad manners to bring your phone to the dinner table.”
She enjoys giving me shit as much as she enjoys making Daisy smile, it would seem.
I hook my elbow over the back of my chair. “When you feed me a decent dinner, I’ll be sure to be more attentive.”
“Oh my God.” Lavender presses her hand to her chest. “Daisy, did you hear that? We have a dinosaur in our midst.”
“Where?” The little girl's head swings left and right. “I don’t see any dinosaurs. Or mist.”
Lavender coughs up a little wine, covering her mouth with a delicate hand, the diamonds in her wedding band twinkling. Why do I find that hot?
Daisy slips from her chair, moving to pat her back. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, thanks, Daiz.” With a fond look, Lavender gives Daisy’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
Shit. That expression she has for the kid. It melts something inside me.
Looking at Lavender usually makes things hard.
“I meant your uncle is a dino. He’s suggesting that because I’m a woman, I should be responsible for dinner.”
“But that’s Sam’s job,” Daisy replies, mildly confused. “And he’s a man.”
“And that wasn’t what I meant at all. It doesn’t have to be dinner you feed me. I’d go for a little snack.”
“Uncle Raif, why are you talking in that funny voice? Is your throat sore? And why did you say snack like a crocodile.” She makes a clapping motion with her hands and arms.
“Yeah, Uncle Raif,” Lavender repeats. “What’s with the voice?”
I could ask the same of her come-fuck-me eyes.
“I must have a frog in my throat.” Can I swap for your pussy?
“Is that why you think he’s a dinosaur? Because his voice sounds old?”
Lavender shakes her head. “How can I put this? Your uncle doesn’t realize that marriage doesn’t exactly suit a postfeminist ideology because it’s rooted in the ownership of women.”
“Postfeminist?”
She quirks a brow, probably surprised I didn’t go for the low-hanging fruit in that statement. Ownership. Money exchanged.
“I’m all for personal choice,” she says, a touch tart.
“Not for the outlawing of men?”
“I’m not militant. I know you all have your uses.”
“All of us? Like men in general?”
“Some of you might be more useful than others,” she concedes.
I give in to a dirty-sounding laugh as I trace my fingertip around the rim of my glass. A poor substitute for what I want to touch.
“So you’re saying you believe in empowerment and equality. That you’re flexible.”
“Is that a statement or a question?”
I put my glass to my lips. I know we’re not having two different conversations.
“Lavender’s mummy came to see us in the gallery.”
“Did she?” I glance Daisy's way, who nods.
No need to mention Polly also came to see me this afternoon. She’d called under the guise of being in the area. I’d kind of expected it, but she was much nicer than I would be, under the circumstances. She paid a visit to let me know exactly how special her daughter is. Marking my card would be another way to describe it.
Hurt my daughter, and I’ll make you pay.
Gotta respect her for that.
“Yes, she’s very nice. And so is Primrose.”
“Wow. It was a real family affair today.”
“There is no escaping my lot,” Lavender says with a mostly content sigh.
We’re interrupted by a rap at the door. It opens, and I frown as Leo appears around it. He remembers to keep his eyes fixed on me. Lucky for him.
“My apologies for disturbing you, but you have a guest, Mr. Deveraux.”
“We’re eating dinner.” I flick out a casual hand. “Can’t you see?”
“It’s McDonald's, Leo.” Daisy twists in her chair, holding out a packet of what has to be cold french fries. “Would you like one?”
“No, carino,” he replies. “I mean, no, thank you, Miss Daisy.”
“You’re sure?” Daisy persists. “I’ve never had McDonald’s before now. Have you?”
“No…” His eyes dart to mine.
“Eat a fry, Leo,” I command.
“I… okay. Thank you.” Taking one from the red packet Daisy offers, he chews once, then grimaces as he swallows.
“Now, tell whoever is here”—to fuck off—“that I’m unavailable.”
Leo’s eyes flick to Lavender. Like a whole tale. “Antonio said you’d want to see this person.”
“Fine.” Antonio can be relied upon. He’s been with me for a long time. I put down my glass and stand. “If you ladies will excuse me.”
“Of course,” Daisy offers happily.
I round the table and touch her blond head as I pass. “I’ll be right back.” I catch myself before bending to kiss Lavender, though I recognize the temptation all the same.