Tiger Lily: Part Three

by Duncan, Amélie S.

  “Of course not. Gregor must be beside himself with the stunt that asshole pulled yesterday,” Mary said, turning her head and picking up a magazine to give me some privacy.

  Lily,

  I’m really sorry for calling and telling you about what happened. My timing was off, but my intention was to let you know that we stopped and reported it immediately. We used discretion at Arch and I know Jonas’s legal team will make sure it’s handled with care too. So please don’t quit over this, and let me know how you are…as okay as you can be under these circumstances, I hope. Sorry.

  Gregor

  I frowned. “Gregor’s worried I’ll quit over the photo.”

  I typed out “I’m humiliated,” but quickly erased it. I was humiliated, embarrassed, and angry about the photos, though I worried that saying all those things would make Gregor feel bad. But lying makes me feel bad. I sighed and replied.

  Dear Gregor,

  I’m humiliated and upset, but I’m grateful you stopped the image from spreading. Thank you for telling me the truth. Mary’s visiting.

  Lily

  I paused. I always included Gregor in movie nights, even when Mary came to visit. However, after what had happened with the photos, I wasn’t ready to see him. Normally, I would try, but not this time. “I feel weird not including Gregor in movie night, but after what happened, I’m not ready to see him.”

  “I didn’t expect you to, but I’m glad you told me what you wanted to do,” she said with conviction. “No one would blame you if you decide to quit, but I hope you don’t. At least not over this. I’m sorry about what that asshole Declan put you through. What are you leaning towards?” she asked.

  I finished up my reply to Gregor with “I’ll be in touch soon,” and sent the email. Then I turned around and responded to Mary. “I don’t know. I’m embarrassed, but I’m not in a position to quit. You know what a nightmare I experienced trying to find any work after graduation. I’ve been looking into options for running the Love Legacy program. And I will still eventually have to find my own place.”

  “Did Jonas mention you moving out?” Mary asked in a softer tone.

  I shook my head and tilted it away from her.

  “Well,” she said. “I was thinking of doing an internship in New York City this summer. Maybe we could live together? I could help with the deposit on your new place. And you would have my income for half to help float you for a bit. Then I could help you find your new roommate, too, assuming you and Jonas don’t decide to just get a place together.”

  Ignoring the hope her last sentence filled me with, I simply said, “That sounds great.” She touched my hair, but didn’t say anything. A new message caught my eye. Its subject line read:

  Please Read. It’s Heather.

  “What the hell is she writing me for?” I huffed.

  “Who?” Mary asked.

  “Heather. Declan’s fiancé,” I said.

  Mary snorted. “What the hell. How did she get your email?”

  “Declan had it,” I reminded her.

  “Delete and block her,” Mary said as we both looked at the now-open message. But my curiosity wouldn’t let me do that. I clicked on the subject line as Mary leaned over my shoulder to read.

  Lily,

  I tried your phone, but it only goes into voicemail. I didn’t get a chance to talk with you on the street. Declan was arrested at work on Monday. They came and arrested him again early this morning. He can’t handle being in jail. He’s talking about harming himself if he has to spend another day in there. I’m scared for him. He can’t run his business. He’s losing all he worked hard to build. He won’t be able to pay his bills if he stays in jail.

  Dec said he’s sorry for the mistakes he made with you and just wants to move on with me and our family. I’m pregnant. Dec has sworn to me and God he will never contact you again. Please drop the charges.

  If Declan has any of your things that he was holding for you, I can get them back. You can even come over to our place and search for them. Please just send me an email or call me. My number is 555-4348.

  Sincerely,

  Heather

  “No way!” Mary said, her voice elevated. “Too fucking bad he’s in jail. He deserves to be in there for all he’s done to you! How dare she try to make you feel sorry for him? Dangling carrots in front of you! Tell her too bad and block her.”

  I glared at the computer screen. Marriage and family. Declan was giving her the marriage and family he had once used to woo me. Would he marry her? Declan wasn’t a man of his word, so I had my doubts. I no longer trusted Declan and wouldn’t be fooled enough to help him again. “I have no intention of dropping the charges. And even if I tried, Jonas said they had enough to go after him without me. Too bad he can’t handle jail.”

  “Good, I can feel your anger…your journey towards the dark side will be complete!” she said in a poor impersonation of the Emperor Palpatine from Return of the Jedi.

  I groaned and laughed. “Is this what I get to look forward to today?”

  “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I am happy you want Declan to suffer,” Mary said wickedly.

  Did I want him to suffer? I thought about her words as I stared at Heather’s message. I didn’t want him to suffer, but I did want him to pay for what he had done to me.

  I moved the cursor on the mouse to delete it and hesitated. I could be deleting my best chance at getting my book and photos back. I could be done with Declan once and for all and have my things.

  “What are you thinking?” Mary asked.

  I averted my eyes. “Heather is delusional, but she did say she would let me into their place to search for my stuff. I know his apartment. Maybe when they searched they missed it. I could look—”

  “Absolutely not,” Mary said heatedly. “Surely you don’t believe her? She lays with the devil, she’s a minion.”

  “But you don’t understand,” I said, raising my voice back at her. “You have your parents. This is all I have left of mine. I want it all back. I went through so much to get that stuff back. I was ready to let it go earlier, but with Declan in jail, I at least have a chance to get everything.”

  “I’m sorry I yelled,” Mary said. “I know how important the photos and your book are to you. And I know how much they loved and cared for you. I loved them too, and it broke my heart when they died, but I don’t trust anything that is linked to Declan. He’s trying to manipulate you through her.”

  I hunched my shoulders. “I know that.” I swallowed hard. She was right. But still, I couldn’t help the heartache that followed when I deleted the message. It was like saying goodbye to my last chance at getting my things back.

  “I should change clothes,” Mary said.

  “I have a shirt and jeans that I think you would look great on you,” I said. Mary followed me into the walk-in closet. She eyed me speculatively as I searched through the clothes for the outfit I had in mind.

  “How about this?” I said and handed her the new pair of jeans I had bought before my weight loss and a pale green shirt.

  She immediately went about trying them on. “I know what you’re trying to do. I’m not Ian’s type. Trust me on this,” she said as she smoothed the shirt in place.

  I smiled admiringly at her in the clothes. Mary was pretty, but when she dressed up, she was stunning. And as far as Ian, nothing Mary said was convincing me I should give up on trying to hook them up.

  “You look great.” I grinned.

  Mary turned a few times and a crease appeared on her cheek. “Thank you. Don’t you want to take off that dress?”

  I blushed. “Well, Jonas likes it.”

  “And wants to take it off?” Mary said, causing me to blush even more. “Then by all means, keep it on,” she teased.

  I lifted my chin and she lifted hers as we laughed together. We returned to the guest room to brush our hair, passing by Lin as she was heading into the master bedroom. “Lunch is on the table,” she said.

  �
�Thanks, Lin,” we said. After putting our long hair into ponytails, we went downstairs and into the dining room area. The large oak table had been set with four sets of covered plates and a bottle of wine.

  Ian walked up and we discovered Mary wasn’t the only one who had changed clothes. He was dressed in a light blue button-down shirt and jeans. I looked over at Mary and saw she had also noticed, though she pretended to be very interested in the place settings.

  “I thought we were hanging out here tonight. You two look good enough to take out,” Ian said. He was staring at Mary.

  “We looked good enough to take out with what we had on earlier, too,” Mary chided.

  “I meant that as a compliment,” he said playfully, pulling the seat out for her.

  “I can do that...thanks,” Mary said as she took the seat.

  Ian sat down next to Mary and started filling the glasses with wine.

  “What’s the name of the place in the East Village that has karaoke on Sunday nights?” Mary asked.

  “The Blue Room,” he said. “I’ve never been,” he added, when he heard my giggle.

  Jonas walk in to join us. I let my eyes roam over his dark shirt and jeans. I thought he looked amazing in suits, but he was mesmerizing in casual wear. He gave me a peck on the cheek.

  “So, what did I miss?” Jonas asked, taking the seat next to me.

  “Nothing. We just started,” Mary responded as we all uncovered our plates of paella.

  “How about a toast? Anyone have a quote?” I asked, looking at Jonas just in time to see the corner of his mouth turn up.

  “To new friends and new beginnings,” Ian said and hit Mary’s glass. It wasn’t a quote, but his sentiment felt perfect for the four of us. We clicked each other’s glasses and started eating.

  “What movie are we watching tonight?” Jonas asked

  “Star Wars. An ‘extra special exclusive edition’,” Mary said with a bit of suspiciousness in her tone.

  Ian gave her cool confidence back. “It is. Very few have ever seen this version.”

  They launched into a deep discussion, and Jonas leaned closer to me and asked, “Everything alright?”

  I focused on my glass. “Yes. We were just catching up. We’re going to Dee’s Salon tomorrow.”

  “We’re thinking of getting short haircuts,” Mary said with a straight face, adding to our conversation.

  I shook my head at her and laughed, knowing this was one of her social experiments. “I was thinking of getting a pixie,” I teased. I had no intention, of course, but the look on Jonas’s face was priceless.

  “No. You won’t,” he said and sipped his wine. “That’s too much of a drastic change.”

  “Don’t cut your hair short,” Ian said to Mary.

  “I wasn’t really planning on it,” Mary said. “Though I will get a trim. This was merely a short experiment, gentlemen. And you have proven that men are addicted to long hair.”

  “Fine,” Jonas said, squeezing my thigh. “I prefer longer hair.”

  Ian scoffed. “That’s not true, though. Not about all men. My last girlfriend had short hair.”

  “Last girlfriend,” Mary repeated with a smug expression on her face.

  “Shoulder-length and, if I recall, she cut it after you got together and again before you broke up,” Jonas said, stirring the pot. Ian gave him a pointed look and I covered my mouth to suppress my giggle.

  Mary was not letting go of her thesis. “Studies have shown there is a high percentage of breakups over an alteration of the physical elements that initially brought on the attraction. Any drastic changes could, and may, end a relationship. I believe men who are obsessed with appearances are especially quick to end said relationship, with the maximum time being three weeks after the haircut occurred. Would you care to share when the haircut occurred, compared to when your relationship ended?” Mary asked, eating her paella and ignoring the daggers Ian was giving her between bites of his own.

  “We didn’t end over hair. I’m not shallow. She was a bit of a know-it-all and I got sick of her dribble,” Ian said, actively choosing to ignore Mary’s snorts.

  “Mary, tell us about your program,” Jonas asked, ending their standoff. Mary eased into a discussion about her Sociology Master’s program at Boston College, which led Ian and Mary off on another conversation about continued education.

  My thoughts shifted back again to Heather and the possibility of collecting my things from Declan’s. Maybe if someone came with me during my search?

  Jonas studied me, finally asking. “Something happened? Tell me.”

  I nodded. “I was going to wait until later. I received an email from Declan’s fiancé, Heather.”

  “When? How? Give me details,” Jonas said, his voice cross. Mary and Ian stopped talking and looked over at us.

  I sighed. “Today. The email was sent to my personal account, not work. Declan must have given it to her. She was asking me to drop charges and help him get out of jail. I won’t. So that’s it.”

  Jonas stroked a finger under my chin, getting me to meet his eyes. “I want to know right away. Anything that affects you is too important to wait.”

  “It was right before we came down here. I was there when she read it. Heather making grandiose offers to Lily,” Mary added to the conversation. “She actually said Lily could go over to Declan’s and search his place while he’s in jail.”

  I looked over at her to avoid the weighted stare I was getting from Jonas. “I was going to share that part with you, but Mary beat me to it.”

  “You swore in your affidavit that you had no relationship with Declan. If you go over there and search his place, it will ruin your theft allegation and compromise your other cases. Tricky bitch,” Ian said hotly.

  Mary nodded at Ian as they bonded before my eyes. “I knew it! She’s Declan’s Siren, trying to ruin your progress,” she declared.

  Ian gazed at Mary for a few heartbeats before turning to speak to the rest of us. “Abusers are often master manipulators. They play upon weaknesses. If a person is still with them, they are under their influence and can’t be trusted. Sorry, Lily.”

  I stared down at my food. Like me. Ian’s words stung, but they were true. I had been under his influence for a long time, and had covered and lied for him many times. Heather was probably experiencing the same.

  If so, she had also been asked to get a response. And I knew what happened to me when I didn’t give him answers. “He could hurt her and her child. What can I do?”

  “You don’t know that, and it’s not your place to get involved,” Mary replied.

  “If you still have the email, we’ll give a copy to Diane. She is heading your criminal case,” Ian said, looking at Jonas. He next turned to me. “We’ll get Diane to send a referral to Heather for the local domestic violence organization, but you are not to have contact with her until after your cases are closed. That is, if she will want to talk to you after he is convicted.”

  I felt a queasiness in my stomach. “I won’t compromise my case. So can we move on and talk about something else now?”

  “Of course,” Mary said, and Ian agreed. They went back to their discussion of Boston.

  Jonas touched my hand and leaned down by my ear. “I’m happy you told me, and I also know it’s hard for you, but our intentions are good. We all care about you and want you safe.”

  I nodded. “I know. I didn’t see that I was being manipulated by him again. The offer Heather made was too good to be true, I guess.”

  “You’re more important than your possessions,” he reminded me. I took the kiss he placed lightly on my lips and we all ate the rest of our lunch, engaging in light conversation between bites.

  Afterward, we went in the living room, where Ian put in the movie and Mary helped flip the television to the right channels to play it. Jonas and I sat down on the couch. Mary sat next to me, and Ian sat down next to her as the movie started. After we had watched for twenty minutes, Mary admitted. “Okay
, Ian. You do have a version I’ve never seen before.”

  Ian grinned at her and they started talking together through it.

  “You’re not interested in this movie,” I said to Jonas, leaning over to his ear.

  “I’m interested in you,” he said.

  My body warmed and my pulse sped up as I scooted in a little closer to him and tried to focus on the film.

  When the first ended, Mary got up and came back with a tray of the rosewater custards. She placed them down on the table, handing them out to all of us as we delighted in the delicious taste.

  “Why are these portions so small?” Ian griped after polishing his off with a few spoonfuls. He sought Mary’s small bowl and she twisted away, giggling. “Not a chance, Unger.” He had her by the hips, but Mary twisted away and scooped the rest in her mouth. Some of it had smeared around her lips. He pinned her and licked off what little was left there and let out a triumphant groan. Mary, to my surprise, was speechless for the first time all night.

  After watching their show, I finished mine and placed it down. “I think it’s my favorite, too,” I said, turning my head toward Jonas.

  “You can have mine,” he said lifting his last spoonful before my lips. I ate it and he kissed me, our cold lips heating up as we deepened the kiss. No words came from Ian and Mary. Were they sharing a kiss too? When our lips parted, they were sitting closer but watching the movie.

  My eyes lingered on Mary as I collected the bowls, but she was giving the credits rolling past all of her attention. So I moved on to the kitchen and cleaned the bowls before returning to the living room. I sat down as close to Jonas as I could get, though I wanted to be closer. Without a word, he lifted me into his lap and a shiver went through me at the thought of how well in tune Jonas was to my desires. He ran his hand over my head, willing me to place it down on his shoulder, to which I complied. He cuddled me close. He’s my home.