“Aribella,” her mother said firmly.
She wasn’t proud of it, but she wavered. Criminal charges didn’t get much more serious than for attacking women, but Ari wasn’t going to discuss the night before last with anyone, especially not Mom Mad.
The man wrenched his gaze away. But what had she done wrong? He was as bad as Mom and Dad Mad, blaming her for everything! He was the one who’d trapped her sister in an elevator. All Ari had done was rush to the rescue! Now he was apologizing to Lizzie in a way so sincere and heartfelt, that Ari’s lips parted in mute protest. He was practically getting down on his knees and groveling for forgiveness. It was a far cry from, “you’re going to be begging for it all night long, sweetheart,” and other such things dirty things he’d whispered in her ears.
Eddie Hawkins gasped. “I remember now. Night before last at Boondocks, you left with this guy. Right, Ari?”
“I’m so sorry,” Lizzie was gushing. “I should have known it was a come-on meant for Ari. Gosh, I feel terrible and incredibly stupid....”
Only Lizzie could use words like gosh in the twenty-first century. “It’s been a terrible misunderstanding for us all,” Ari managed to interject.
“Who is he, Aribella?” Mom Mad’s lips compressed in censure, making Ari feel closer to five years old than twenty-six. “You don’t know his name, do you? No, she doesn’t, Scott,” Mom Mad continued, answering herself. Scott was Dad Mad’s first name.
Ari’s heart was beating so rapidly she could hear blood rush in her ears. “Of course I do. It’s...uh...”
“Bruno. Bruno Brandt.”
The last emotion Ari wanted to feel was gratitude, but he’d just rescued her from Mom Mad. What a gent. Could she get out of here before Eli uncuffed him, though? Liar-Liar would be out of the cell any second, and given the flinty look in his eyes, what followed was not going to be pretty. It could be even more explosive than what he’d planned to do in the elevator. She edged toward the door saying, “Bruno? I’m sure I’ve mentioned him? I’ve been talking about him all the time, right? The man I’ve been seeing?”
“Then he can join us next Sunday for supper, Aribella.”
She started to lie and say she’d extended an invitation already, and that Bruno had other plans, but the rumble of his voice stopped her. “I’ll look forward to it, Mrs. Madden.”
“You may call me Emily.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Madden.”
Just when Ari thought the situation couldn’t worsen, he added, “Is there anything I can bring?”
“Just the pleasure of your company.”
Ari could only gape. A second later, lies were spewing from her mouth faster than she could keep up with them. “I have an important appointment...Skype call about a potential account...it was ten minutes ago. Gotta run!” Even the National Federation of Teachers contract could not save Ari now. So much for the hours she’d practiced saying, “The Learning Investment.” She continued. “Mom, Dad Mad, Bruno, Lizzie, we’ll do it again soon!” Since no graceful exit was possible, and Eli’s keys were jangling in the cell lock, Ari waved, then trotted toward the doors. Knowing she didn’t look very dignified and feeling the man’s eyes boring holes into her back, she was determined not to run, but as soon as she was outside, she did.
Chapter Four