Chapter 48: Chapter 48

C H A P T E R - T W E N T Y

I grabbed out, placed my hand around Ramona's wrist, and pulled her hand and the knife down after she had declared herself in charge and Mic was gazing at the knifepoint two inches from her face. Her eyes swung to me as I did.

I mumbled, "Falcone has a rule about using knives properly in his house.

Ramona said, "I'll bet he does. He has a guideline regarding how to use ninja stars correctly, right? ”

I mumbled, "Probably," for this was probably true.

Can I just have a Cosmo?

Mic finished distributing them as Trace questioned.

Ramona placed the brie next to the grapes and said, "Boards are finished." We should retire to the sitting area.

We all moved over to the dining area after the girls took the large food plates and I went to the shelves to collect the smaller dishes. Mic and Antonette settled into a couch. I occupied the other end of the couch from Ramona. We all gazed at the food as it set on the coffee table in front of us, in part because we didn't want to touch anything without Ramona's permission and in part because she was correct—it was all about presentation, and she had style. The meal seemed delicious. A magazine would want to take an image of you.

“Well?" Ramona enquired. "What are all of you waiting for? Dig in."

Like vultures, we all dove into the meal.

Ramona said, "I shoulda purchased some of those small spreaders," as I shoved a slice of French baguette covered with red onion marmalade, pâté, and topped with dumpling pieces into my mouth. Having the elegant handles. They were available at Crate & Barrel. You need fancy-handled spreaders because you have brie, pâté, and great stoneware.

I believed that Falcone's cement, iron, and brick warehouse lair would drive out fancy-handled spreaders yet it was capable of holding slim-stemmed, stylish martini glasses.

I kept this from Ramona.

As Ramona didn't truly know me, I instead questioned Antonette and Micah in the room, "Do you believe I live in my head? ”

Mic and Antonette exchanged quick glances across the coffee table.

Ramona explained between a mouthful of brie and apple wedge, "That means yes."

I first glanced at Trace before turning to Mic. "You do? ”

"Girl -" Mic began.

It's alright, Antonette swiftly replied. "We all take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves, and you should live in your ideal world," someone said.

I said that "I don't live in a dream world," but this was untrue. I did a lot of the time. It just wasn't always. I go about my life. I leave. I enjoy it. I make myself available.

Mic said, "Ryan calls you Queen Crash and Burn," and I looked across at her.

“What? ”

“Queen Crash and Burn. You dress up, go out, smile, converse, flirt, and all of a sudden it's "Hey! I had an awesome time talking to you! Later!" Not a number. None at all. They believe you have feelings for them and want to seduce them, so you leave without turning around. Queen Crash and Burn.”

Uh… wow.

"Do I do that?

I knew I had yet I still asked. I didn't realize I done it until it was brought to my attention right then, but once it was, I was aware of it.

Antonette said in a whisper, "Totally.

"Did Cabrera claim that you were a "head dweller? living up in your head?"

When Mic questioned, I nodded. “Why? ”

"We were talking," I said. " He claimed I didn't need to consider since I live in my head and block things out when I told him I wanted to reflect on what he had said. I haven't given him myself, he claims. He claims that I am deterring him with my hand raised,"

Micah and Antonette's eyes refocused on one another.

You do it too, I see," Ramona said.

"I'm approachable and open!" I proclaimed.

Mic groaned, reclined, and drank some cosmos.

Getting me ready

Oh my god.

"Babe, I know you've had a lot going over the last week, but have you had a chance to think about what's happened with you and Cabrera?" she said.

Yes, I answered at once. "I consider it constantly."

"And what do you think, girl?"  Ramona inquired.

I said, "I don't know, I have to think about it more," to which Ramona responded by rolling her large eyes at Antonette.

Then Antonette laughed.

Crap! I had returned to my mental world.

Knowing I was taking a risk, I said to Mic, "Okay, tell me what you think about it."

Mic said, "I will.

Great.

Welp! She was going to give it to me because I had begged for it in classic Mic fashion.

"Have you thought about the fact that you just spoke to this person once and he was all up in your business after spending all that time doing nothing but the bad?" Mic asked.

No. No, I hadn't considered that.

"No," I said quietly.

"So, if you opened your lips for more than just a little something-something when he came to see you late at night, where do you think you'd be right now?"

" Mic went on.

Oh my goodness.

I didn't respond, but Micah did "I'd say precisely where you are, baby."

Oh. My. God.

"I-" I began.

Tonette whispered gently, "You've had that hand held up for a year and a half, Ginnie."

Ramona muttered into her cosmo, "Mm hmm."

God! I hated it when Falcone was correct!

"Do you... do you... think I should take down that hand?" I stuttered.

"Yes," Antonette answered immediately.

"Absolutely," Ramona said, adding her vote.

"Jury's still out on that one," Mic answered, standing up and declaring that the conversation was done and that it was time for her to straighten herself out, which she did by declaring, "I'm making more cosmos," before gliding into the kitchen on her four-inch heels.

I reached forward and took a handful of grapes and a larger handful of mixed chocolates. I needed to consider everything.

Or perhaps I didn't.

Shit.