An Improper Ever After(55)

Traci giggles.

"So when does the job start?" Nonny asks me.

"Tomorrow."

Elizabeth quirks an eyebrow. "That's fast."

"It's just training until Friday." I wipe my hands on napkin. "I hope I can learn everything I need to in three days."

"You will," Traci says. "Jana wouldn't have hired you if she didn't think you could. Besides, if you need help, you can always ask me." She grins at me, and I flash her a grateful smile in return.

"Fake it 'til you make it," Elliot says. "Not that I think you're going to need to fake anything for long."

"You're going to finish college too, though, right?" Traci asks, leaning slightly forward.

"I want to. I'm looking to see if I can have all the credits transferred."

"You should be able to," Elliot says.

"Where are you thinking?" Traci asks again.

"Someplace local, but if that's not possible"-I shrug-"out of state, but preferably someplace West Coast." I make a face. "I can't imagine living the rowdy dorm life again, but … "

A strange look crosses Elliot's face. "You aren't doing a dorm."

"Even if I get an apartment, I'll probably need a roommate-"

"No, you won't, because I'll be going with you."

I blink at him.

"What? You think I'm going to do a long-distance marriage when I don't have to?"

"But … out of state?"

Elliot shrugs a shoulder in that careless way of his I can't help but envy. It's the gesture of a man used to getting what he wants. "What about it?"

"But Nonny … "

"I can transfer," my sister puts in cheerily.

"You've already changed schools three times in the last two years."

Traci takes a big sip of wine. "Eh, she's resilient. She'll be fine."

I frown a little. I know she means well and is trying to be supportive, but I hate the fact that I haven't been able to give Nonny the stability I had growing up. I lived in the same town, experienced K-12 with all my childhood friends and never transferred. My sister doesn't have any of her old friends to keep in touch with-especially not after our father ripped off everyone in town-and she's just starting to make some friends in the new school. Uprooting her again seems … cruel. 

"Well, pointless to talk about it now," Elizabeth declares. "We don't even know where you'll end up going." And with that, she expertly steers the conversation to safer topics. I stare at her in awe. I guess that's the difference between our upbringings. Nothing seems to faze her. Except that one occasion when we were together on the balcony at the Sterlings' mansion.

After a platter of excellent cheese, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. Elizabeth stands too, wanting to come with me. I glance at Traci and Nonny, but my sister's too busy munching on the last of the Brie, and Traci tilts her chin, indicating I can go without worrying about her.

This time I make sure the bathroom is empty. The last time I was fortunate enough to be overheard by someone friendly, but I'm not making the same mistake again.

"I'm glad you're adjusting so well." Elizabeth smooths her hair, then clears her throat. "I was worried when you called."

I dig into my purse for my lipstick. "You told him."

"I did." Her reflection makes eye contact with mine. "Are you upset?"

"I was, a little, at the time. But … he is your brother, so your loyalty to him would come first," I answer.

She straightens. "It's not about who's first in my loyalty. That was never a consideration."

"I don't understand."

"I wouldn't have said a word if the problem didn't affect him. If you were just unhappy with him and needed someone to talk to, I'd be more than happy to listen and give you whatever advice I could. But you were facing an enemy who threatened the both of you. I thought he should be warned."

"She threatened me."

"Any threat against you is a threat against Elliot. Annabelle Underhill isn't an idiot. She knows that and is expecting him to strike back."

Good god. So it was a deliberate provocation? "Is he going to?" My stomach knots. I wish I hadn't eaten all that food.

"Yes. I'm pretty sure he's set everything in motion by now."

"I don't want a fight."

Elizabeth gives me a curious smile. "You really have no idea, do you?"

I stare at her blankly.

"You're the prize, as far as Elliot is concerned. That's why he's going to hit back."

"But he can be hurt," I whisper. "I met Stanton Underhill."

"You did?"

"On our honeymoon. He and his wife were at the same resort."