Her Silent Revenge novel Chapter 103

Or if I confess to dating Patton, her grudges.

I don't need her rumor mill spinning in overdrive and frankly, neither does Patton.

Also, if she finds out, she'll tell my parents for sure. We haven't spoken in years, but the second they get wind of it, they'll be all over me.

Total circus.

I don't even know if I'm ready to have them back in my life. Not without a real heartfelt apology, certainly.

"Yeah. It's a date, I guess." My shoulders sag. Truth and lies all wrapped up in one nice unit, so close you can't tell where one ends and another begins. "He's in real estate."

Truth, but lie, because my intention is to deceive—and Kayla slurps it right up.

"So exciting!" she squeals. "Tell me where he's at this instant. Out of ten?"

"Easy ten."

"Oh, okay. But how would I rate him?"

I can't bite back my smile. "You'd probably give him a ten, too, Kayla.

He's hot. Like Arizona heatwave."

"Shut up!" She gasps. "I can't wait to meet him. After you get Patton on board with me, we'll do a double date."

Hell no, we won't.

Patton knocks and enters the room with Arlo in tow. He frowns at me, and I mouth Kayla's name.

"Honestly, Kay, I can't really do anything for you," I say. "You guys have met several times. You'll have to close the deal, right?"

She huffs a breath. "That's a little selfish, Lemmykins. I bet if you arranged another few meetups, I could hit the zone. He's probably just intimidated, but once I show him how down-to-earth I am, he'll be smitten."

Holy hell.

Her gross image of Patton is so different from the real deal it's like calling a cartoon scribble a Picasso painting.

"I'll see what I can do. No promises."

"You're the best, bestie," she says, happy again. "I'll pop on over soon. Say hi to Patton for me when you next see him. See ya!" The call, thankfully, ends.

I drop the phone back on the table with a groan. "Sometimes I hate that girl."

Arlo clambers onto the big bed and starts bouncing before I stop him with a glare.

"Queen Bee Kayla is icky," he informs me.

"Arlo! Whatever you do, keep that to yourself." I want to tell him that isn't nice, but the nickname rubbed off yours truly.

His movie logic makes me break away with a laugh. I beam Patton one more quick smile.

The warmth in my chest unfurls as I replay his words.

You already know I've found my woman, right?

We haven't spoken about forever, but at times like this, it doesn't feel like an impossible dream.

Not today, maybe, but in a matter of months or years…

"Don't bother with Kayla what's-her-face anymore," he says, standing. "I know you think she's your friend and you owe her for this job, but all she does is trample you."

"She doesn't mean to. I guess."

"Doesn't she?" He lets the question hang in the air. "Salem, she knows exactly what she's doing. The more you feel like you're not good enough, the more you rely on her to make you good enough. It's toxic as hell."

I want to tell him he's wrong, but he isn't.

Truth be told, Kayla Persephone shouldn't scare me.

It's all in my head, and it has been for so long, this feeling I'm just not good enough.

As Patton picks up a squealing Arlo and carries him from the room, I find my bag. I just wish I wasn't feeling down going into the family dinner.