Come Undone by Jessica Hawkins Read Free Book Online Page B

descended.
    “I met him in the kitchen,” I blurted, “and he seems like a jerk.
Andrew practically said he is a playboy. I wouldn’t bother.” My temperature
rose, and I wondered how many girls he had suckered in with those eyes; how
often he got what he wanted.
    Gretchen gave me a curious glance, but it passed and she shrugged.
“I’m not looking to marry the guy.”
    Lucy waved down a passing tray and handed us each a mini tuna
tartare. “It’s true. Andrew says since he’s met him, he’s seen him with a few
different women, and they were all striking. Yes, Andrew actually said
‘striking.’”
    “No thanks,” Gretchen said, waving the appetizer away. “Are we
still on for lunch this week?”
    I pivoted slightly so I could see David from the corner of my eye.
The bass of his endlessly deep voice vibrated in my ears as he talked
animatedly with someone, and I strained to hear.
    Lucy’s voice cut unwelcomingly into my stalking attempt. “Olivia!
My God, what is with you? You’re acting strange.”
    “What? What did I do?” I asked dazedly.
    “We’re talking about lunch on Monday. She asked if you’re still
coming?”
    “Lunch?”
    “Yes. Park Grill? Bridal magazine bonanza.”
    “Oh, lunch. Shit, I forgot.” I tugged absentmindedly at my right
earlobe, my brows furrowed, still trying to hear while answer Lucy. “That
should be fine, yes.”
    “K, let’s meet at your office at eleven-thirty and walk together.”
Lucy said something else and looked at me.
    “Sure, of course,” I replied. “Um, excuse me.” I ducked across the
living room, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. Was I crazy? Why was I
letting him get under my skin?
    I was experiencing an overwhelming need to get out of the crowd,
and I knew exactly where to do it. I pulled open the sliding glass door to the
balcony, took a lungful of fresh air and then coughed as smoke filled my
throat. I yanked the heavy door shut behind me when I spotted two lit cigarettes
in the corner. One of the smokers I recognized as Andrew’s receptionist and
nodded a hello to her. She looked about to say something, but I left for the
opposite end of the balcony before she could.
    The iron railing felt cool under my palms when I touched it. I
shivered and wrapped my arms around my bare skin. In my haste, I hadn’t thought
to grab a jacket.
    Every time I looked out at the skyline, it was like the first
time. Tiny blocks of light scattered randomly into the pattern of buildings,
and I wondered about the inhabitants; what they were doing in that very moment.
Leaning my stomach over the barrier, I examined the city below. It wasn’t a
long drop from the eighth floor, but it was enough to accelerate my heartbeat.
     
    “Do you have any idea how
that makes me feel?” my mother screamed. I hid behind the stucco wall and
peered through the glass door as my father raised his hands in exasperation.
    “Leanore, you’re being
ridiculous. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? Like you don’t trust me!”
    “How can I trust you
when you’re flirting with every woman in the hotel lobby! And in front of your
daughter!”
    “Don’t you bring Olivia
into this,” he said, sticking his finger in her face. “This is your problem and
you’re ruining our vacation. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    I turned away from the door
and looked over the railing that hit right below my eyes. My fingers grasped
the bars of the balcony, and I pulled on them as I lifted myself onto the balls
of my feet. I wondered what it might be like to fly. Had anyone ever tried?
Perhaps it was possible and nobody knew it. We’d learned about evolution in
school. Maybe we had wings that would know the difference between flying and
falling.
    “Olivia.” I jumped at
the voice behind me. “Come in here and fix your hair,” my dad boomed. “I’ll
take you out for a milkshake but not until you brush those tangles out.”
     
    For no reason at all, I turned