Chapter 17
Adeline tossed the new outfit at me with a look of pure exasperation. “Fine. I suppose it’s just my bad luck to have counted on someone so unreliable. Change your clothes. I’ll wear what you’re wearing.”
“1…”
Before I could say anything, Adeline snapped, “Hurry up and change. Don’t waste time. We’re running late.”
I glanced at Luther, who simply said, “Get changed.”
I took the new outfit into the next room and closed the door behind me. I knew Adeline was deliberately setting me up, but I was determined to get even.
Her size was one size bigger than mine. The new outfit hung loosely on me.
Meanwhile, Adeline stepped out wearing my clothes. The blouse was noticeably tight on her.
“Let’s go, Mr. Stone,” she said, grabbing her purse. “Take the clothes I just took off to be dry–cleaned.”
Under Luther’s watchful gaze, I bent down and folded the outfit into the shopping bag. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”
Luther got up from the couch. “Be more thorough next time.”
I lowered my eyes and nodded. “Got it.”
left the hotel and went straight to the dry cleaner. For the rest of the afternoon, I was completely weighed down by frustration.
It wasn’t that Adeline was particularly clever. I was simply careless and let her outsmart me. However, I learned my lesson. I would definitely be more cautious the next time I dealt with her.
After work, I drove back to Woodmont Crest.
On the way, I got a call from Tania, one of the few friends I had in Jaloria. We met through work and hit it off, so we started hanging out more in our free time.
“You’re back from your trip?” Her call eased a lot of my stress.
Tania said, “Yeah, I got back this morning. What about you? Are you free tonight? Have you eaten yet?”
I had been dying to vent to someone, so I agreed right away. “I’m in. What are you craving? It’s on me.”
“With this weather, barbecue would be ideal because it’s warm and comforting,” she said.
“Where should we eat?” I asked her.
Tania replied, “Dee’s BBQ Joint–the one on Cumin Lane.”
“Alright, I’m heading there,” I said.
After hanging up, I turned right at the next intersection and made my way to Cumin Lane.
Before getting out of the car, I gave Lucy a call. “Hey, Lucy, I’m having dinner with a friend tonight, so I won’t be coming home for dinner.”
Lucy said, “Don’t stay out too late. Come back early.”
“Got it,” I responded.
I was a regular at Dee’s BBQ Joint, so the waitresses recognized me. After asking how many of us there were, they seated me at a table towards the back.
The waitress set down the menu and a pen on the table and asked, “We have a special on lobster and jumbo shrimp today. Would you like to try some?”
“I’ll have a portion,” I replied, marking it on the menu.
Since I usually dined with Tania, I knew her preferences well and marked the dishes we alway’s ordered, She arrived in a flurry shortly after.
“You got here faster than me,” Tania said, shrugging off her coat and placing it on the nearby chair.
Then she asked, “Did you get the sausage?”
“Yes, two portions,” I answered.
She smiled. “Nice.”
I handed her the menu. “Take a look. Is there anything else you want?”
Tania scanned it quickly and handed it back to the waitress. “That’s all.”
While we waited for the food, she pulled a jewelry box from her bag and handed it to me.
“Here, the place I visited is known for its crystals. I got you an amethyst bracelet.”
“Thank you,” I said gratefully, opening the box.
The amethyst on my wrist made my skin look even fairer “It’s beautiful,” I added
She smiled warmly. “Wait, something’s off. Why didn’t Ryan come with you? Doesn’t he usually tag along
Chapter 17
My expression faltered, and my smile froze. “He…”
