LITMIR.BIZ

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in all of her aging-siren glory. Her pinup-girl hairdo was perfectly coiffed with short rolled bangs and flowing, dark locks. She wore capri pants, high heels and a feather-trimmed blouse. Although she was in her early fifties, she had the figure of someone much, much younger. But didn’t most rich L.A. women? They bought themselves boobs, got liposuction if they gained an ounce of fat and did Pilates with private trainers.

      Daniel stared at her, and she stared back at him.

      Uncomfortable, Allie sucked in a silent breath.

      Finally he said to Glynis, “I don’t remember you.”

      “Yes, I heard that you had amnesia.” Her glossy red lips curved into a deliberate smile. “It’s been a long while since we dated, but I’d be glad to refresh your memory.”

      “I’ll bet you would.” He kept his expression blank. “But my tastes have changed.”

      “Oh, that’s right. You have a crush on Allie. I noticed it the last time I saw you together, before the amnesia and all that.” Glynis finally turned to face her rival. “Have you let him into your pants yet? Or are you still being a tease?”

      Before Allie could respond, Daniel snapped at Glynis. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

      The other woman kept her cool. “I guess that means she’s still being a tease. Poor boy. That’s what you get for falling for a witch.”

      Allie came to her own defense. “I’m not a witch.”

      “You’re not evil like your mother? I wonder if it’s possible to have those genes and not be just a little bit evil.”

      Allie narrowed her eyes. Was Glynis the vandal? Was she behaving like a potential stalker? Or just a jealous old girlfriend?

      “So what’s going on?” Glynis asked, switching tactics. “Why did you stop by?”

      “To harass you,” Allie said in her drollest tone.

      “Very funny. What for?”

      “As if you don’t know.”

      “Please, no games. Just tell me what this is about.”

      “Someone broke into Allie’s loft and trashed her bedroom,” Daniel said.

      Much too dramatic, Glynis clutched a hand to her blouse, ruffling the boa-type feathers. Her fingernails were as red as her lips. “And you think it was me?”

      “It seems like a possibility.”

      “I wouldn’t waste my time.”

      “Wouldn’t you?” he challenged. “Not even for me?”

      “No, dear boy. That isn’t my style. But feel free to give my regards to whoever did it.”

      “Any idea who that could be?” Cynicism edged his voice. “Besides you?”

      “If you’re asking me who else you slept with, I have no idea. You weren’t the type to kiss and tell. Speaking of kisses, why don’t we have a drink?”

      He furrowed his brow. Apparently he wasn’t following Glynis’s logic. Allie was, but she remained silent.

      He asked, “What do drinks have to do with kisses?”

      “Oh, that’s right. You don’t remember. I have a Vampire’s Kiss every day. Sometimes you had one with me. But mostly you preferred Gin and Nothing.”

      “I’ll have one of those.” He made a thought-provoking expression, as if he were delving into his own lost mind. “That’s still what I prefer.”

      “Then there you go. Some things don’t change.” The dragon lady looked at Allie. “Would you like a drink, too?”

      “I think I’ll pass.”

      “Afraid I’ll poison it?”

      Allie coined Daniel from earlier. “It seems like a possibility.”

      Glynis rolled her elegantly lined eyes and proceeded to fix the cocktails. For herself, she used a recipe that consisted of vodka, cranberry juice, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice. For Daniel, she poured a jigger of gin over ice and added a twist of lemon peel.

      He accepted the drink and made himself at home on the sofa. Allie figured he had a plan, but she wasn’t sure what it was. He patted the spot next to him, silently telling her to join him. She did, even if she wasn’t comfortable staying any longer than necessary.

      Glynis sat across from them and sipped her Vampire’s Kiss. Ignoring Allie, she gazed at Daniel. “I can’t get over how different you look. How different you seem.”

      The ice in his glass clinked, and he spoke above the Gin and Nothing sound. “Do you like me better this way?”

      She crossed her legs, flashing her sexy high heels at him. “Would it matter if I did?”

      He shrugged, then looked closely at her. “I think I do remember something about you.”

      She squared her shoulders, lifting her bosom a bit higher. “You do?”

      “I seem to recall your pretty handwriting.” He paused for effect. “Calligraphy.”

      Aha, Allie thought. Daniel was trying to trap Glynis. They hadn’t told her that calligraphy had been used during the vandalism. If she reacted defensively, she would give herself away.

      She didn’t get defensive. In fact, she stunned them by saying, “No, no, darling. That’s Margaret. She’s the one with the lovely penmanship.”

      “Margaret?”

      “My housekeeper.”

      The bulldog who protected Glynis? Could she be the vandal? Had she done it for Glynis? Were they in on it together? And if they were, why was Glynis being so open about it?

      Allie shot Daniel a quick glance. He seemed to be pondering the same questions.

      Glynis popped up and walked over to an antique desk and opened the roll top. She returned with a fancy envelope. “Margaret is going to address these for me and mail them later today. See? She already put my return address in her calligraphy.”

      Daniel took the sealed envelope. “What is this?”

      “An invitation. I’m having a Christmas party. Oh, here’s a novel idea. Why don’t you come?” She turned to Allie. “You, too. Just think, you can stress all evening about me poisoning you. What fun that will be.”

      Hardy har har. Glynis had a twisted sense of humor. Under different circumstances, Allie might have learned to like her.

      Or not.

      “We’ll think about it,” Allie said, wondering if the party had been arranged for her and Daniel’s benefit.

      “Don’t think too long. You’ll need to RSVP.”

      “We’ll let you know.” Daniel stood up.

      “I do hope you’ll attend, darling boy. It was so very nice to see you.”

      Glynis didn’t walk them out and neither did Margaret. Daniel and Allie left on their own, the invitation tucked safely into his pocket.

      Daniel opened the truck door for Allie and watched her climb inside the vehicle. They didn’t discuss the situation, not until he got behind the wheel and started the engine.

      “What do you think?” she asked.

      That was a loaded question. His mind was crowded and confused, his thoughts clinging like cobwebs. “About Glynis? About Margaret’s calligraphy? About whether or not we should go to the party?”

      “All of it. But start with Glynis.”

      He pulled away from the curb. “I honestly don’t remember her. Nor does she seem like my type.” Which made his confusion that much greater.

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