“Which is why you need to go beyond what you’d normally do. You have to do some recon. Look around the apartment, see if there’s something she really likes. Hell, Pike, there has to be something you can use to chisel at her resistance. Time is ticking and we need her in England after Christmas.”
“I know, Kill. I know.” I drag my hand over my face. “Trust me, I’m working on it.”
“Is there someone who knows her who might be able to help you?”
“No, all her—” I pause as a lightbulb goes off in my head and, a smirk spreads across my face. “Oh, there is someone.”
“Really? Who?”
Smiling even brighter, I say, “Keiko Seymour.”
Chapter Ten
CORA
Husband: Bringing home dinner. Save your delicious cooking for tomorrow.
I toss my phone to the side and heave a sigh of relief.
Thank God.
I don’t think I could stomach another shitty meal tonight, nor do I want my apartment smelling like burnt food one more time. I spent my entire day airing out the smell, only to recreate it the next night. I’m over it. Having a break from it all will be nice.
Do you know what else I need a break from? Running the GD stairs.
Oh my God, my legs are absolute mush.
I can barely walk.
And sitting down to go to the bathroom—impossible. I have to hold on to the walls to make it all the way.
But the worst of it all, and I would never—and I mean never—say this to him, but I kind of miss the warmth he brought to the bed. It was nice, having him there almost as a brace, a support system to keep me in place at night.
I stand from my bed just as there’s a frantic knock at the door.
“Thou shall unfurl the door this instant.”
Oh God . . . Keiko.
What the hell is she doing here?
Quickly, I go to the door and open it, only to have a brown bag thrust in my face.
“I’m imploring your facilitation.”
“What?” I ask as she walks past me, holding a jug of water in one hand and a bag of marshmallows in the other.
Following behind her are Greer and Stella, looking just as confused as I feel.
When I shut the door, Keiko lowers her head and says, “I have some disquieting news to convey.” She lifts a marshmallow to her mouth. “I’ve been postulating for a fortnight, and I’ve come to the realization that I might possibly be enceinte.”
“Enc-see-tee what now?” I ask.
Keiko presses her hand to her stomach. “Fruitful in my loins.”
“Oh, gross,” Stella says. “Just say pregnant, for fuck’s sake.” Stella takes a seat at my dining table. “Fruitful in my loins legit makes me dry-heave.”
“I don’t recall witnessing any retroperistalsis of the esophagus.”
“It’s just a phrase, Keiko.”
“I don’t see how practicing unnecessary phrases during this moment of uncertainty assists me in any way.” She stuffs three marshmallows in her mouth. “I have missed my menses.”
I wince.
Menses is just as bad as fruitful in my loins.
Honestly, I’m not sure which one is worse.
Being the calm one of the group, Greer walks up to Keiko and rests her hand on her shoulder. “We’ve thought that you might be pregnant for a while now.”
“Pardon me?” Keiko asks. “Why was it that I was never informed of my unplanned gestation?”
Stepping up now, I say, “Because we were too scared to tell you.”
“Scared? Preposterous,” Keiko shouts as particles of marshmallow fly out of her mouth. “Why do you proclaim to be terror-struck?”
Talking evenly, I say, “You’ve been a tad volatile recently. We weren’t sure how you’d handle the news.”
“Volatile?” Keiko shouts and then chucks a marshmallow at me, pegging me right in the forehead.
The collective occupants of the room gasp as I slowly bring my hand to my head, where the marshmallow is surprisingly stuck.
“Oh, dear me,” Keiko says, covering her mouth with her hand. “I—I hurled a gelatin confection at you.”
I peel the marshmallow off my head and hold it out in front of me. “Exhibit A of your volatile behavior.”
Slowly, Keiko slides down to the floor and cuddles her jug of water close to her chest. “I am ashamed of myself.”
“Oh, Keeks, no need to be ashamed,” Greer says, sitting next to her. “You can’t help the way you’re acting right now. It’s the hormones.”