Chapter 4

Mrs. Delgado finished speaking, then seemed to remember I was standing right there.

She smoothed her face into a warm smile and explained, "Quinn, don't take what I just said to heart. Times are hard right now, and the field Cicely studied doesn't lead to good jobs here. On top of that, Xavier's always treated her like a little sister, so he made an exception for her this once."

"It's late, Mrs. Delgado. You should go home and rest."

"All right."

She glanced sidelong at Cicely, her meaning unmistakable. "Quinn, whatever happens, the Delgado family recognizes only you as its daughter-in-law. As for any woman with schemes in her heart, she can forget about ever setting foot through the Delgado door."

I was a little surprised at how sharply Mrs. Delgado's attitude toward Cicely had turned.

Though, thinking it over, it made sense.

Cicely's intentions were obvious.

Anyone with eyes could see them.

When a woman plays sweet and helpless in front of a man, it's usually for one of two reasons.

To win his sympathy.

To capture his heart.

And Cicely, plainly, wanted both.

Besides, tonight Cicely had nearly left a stain on the son Mrs. Delgado was proudest of. There was no way she'd have a kind face for her.

Mrs. Delgado got into the car.

Leslie stretched through a yawn. "Xavier, Quinn, I'm dead on my feet. I'm heading out first. And Cicely, take it easy, okay? Don't torture yourself over this. Xavier and I will find another time to take you out, get everyone together."

That left just me, Xavier, and Cicely outside the police station.

After a short silence, Xavier said, "Cicely just got back to the country and hasn't found a place yet. She'll stay with us for now."

"Whatever."

The moment we got home, Xavier registered Cicely's fingerprint, then took a still-wrapped pair of women's slippers from the shoe cabinet and crouched down to change her shoes for her.

"Take your time finding a place, Cicely. This is your home. Stay as long as you want."

"Thank you, Xavier. But if I just move in like this, won't your fiancée mind?"

Before I could say a word, Xavier answered for me. "The place is mine. On what Quinn earns, she could work her whole life and still never afford an apartment in New York."

Cicely's eyes curved into a smile.

"Xavier, Leslie told me you and your fiancée are getting married soon. I thought you'd put her name on the deed. I guess I was reading too much into it."

Xavier stood and tapped Cicely on the nose, indulgent.

"She doesn't care about that. You're the one who's never felt secure, ever since you were little."

He ruffled her hair twice.

"Cicely, I've been thinking. It isn't safe for a girl to be renting out there on her own. I'll find some time to sign this place over to you. If you don't like the way it's decorated, redo it. I'll pay."

Cicely lit up, delighted. "Xavier, do you mean it? My luck is unbelievable. A whole apartment without having to work for it, and in New York, where land costs a fortune. I'm so happy, Xavier."

I went into the bedroom with a cold face.

A few minutes later, Cicely knocked on my door.

"Quinn, someone's calling for you."

Only then did I remember I'd left my phone on the couch in the living room.

When I came out, Xavier was standing there with my phone against his ear.

"Sir, ma'am, please stop mailing Quinn all these pickles and pickled peppers. They stink up the whole refrigerator. It's nauseating. And besides, Quinn's lived in New York long enough. It's time she dropped the small-town eating habits."

"And don't come to New York either. There's no place for you to stay."

I walked over and snatched the phone from him, then went out to the balcony to take the call under Xavier's icy stare.

When I came back in, the living room reeked of spicy noodle soup.

Quinn was eating from a small bowl.

Xavier had a large one.

How very fitting.

Now the smell didn't bother him at all.

I went back to the bedroom and pulled out the suitcase I'd already packed.

The wheels rolled loud over the floor.

Xavier kept eating, listening to Cicely talk.

He didn't spare me so much as a glance.

Only when I reached the entryway did I hear his voice, without a trace of feeling in it.

"Come back on your own when you're done throwing your fit, Quinn."

"I'm not coming back, Xavier."