False Lines (Blurred Lines Volume 7) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Cruze’s hand is bent at the elbow, his hand up like he’s carrying a platter of food. Instead is a ghostly outline of a buxom naked woman. The way she’s sitting and her shape reminds me of those women on the mud flaps of truck drivers. The caption reads: When he isn’t handling his supernatural clients, he’s romancing the world’s hottest women.
    I snort. The cab driver hears and raised a questioning eyebrow, catching my gaze in the rear view mirror.
    “Don’t worry about it,” I say, turning away.
    He shrugs and belts out the chorus along with the singer on the radio.
    After what seems like forever he pulls up in front of Zane’s house. He puts the car in park and says, “That’ll be sixty bucks.”
    I hand him eighty and get out.
    “Thank you, ma’am,” he replies.
    “You’re welcome.”
    The man jumps out of the cab and helps me with my luggage.
    I ring the doorbell and Rita answers. She’s wearing a bright red apron.
    “Hi,” I say, hoping she’s happy to see me.
    A big smile fills her face. “I wondered when you’d show up.” She pulls me into a hug. “Come on, let’s get your things inside.”
    I allow her to help me with my bag even though I totally could’ve handled it myself.
    We take my things upstairs. Rita walks the suitcase into Zane’s room.
    “No,” I say hastily.
    Rita looks at me strangely.
    “I can’t sleep in there without him,” I add, unable to help but remember Zane and me in there. The things we did together.
    Her features soften as though she understands. “Okay. I have the perfect room.” She walks past me and heads further down the hall, stops in front of a door, and turns the knob. “Go ahead.” She pushes the door open.
    I remember this room. I loved it the first time I saw it. It’s filled with light. The furniture consists of clean lines. There’s a bed, a dresser, two small nightstands, and a window seat. The wall the white headboard leans against is painted violet-red. The other three walls are a light gray, as is the ceiling. There’s a chandelier over the bed. The large shade is made of ornately carved chrome. In the center are curved steel bars with lights and shimmering crystal beads.
    The bedding is the shade of the accent wall and is simple. Above the bed is a large painting broken up into four pieces. Together it makes a cherry blossom. Very beautiful.
    “This is gorgeous,” I say, turning back to Rita.
    She nods. “I thought you’d like it.”
    I don’t set anything down. “Who stayed here?” I ask.
    A dark worry quickly crosses her face. “It doesn’t matter. The room has been completely redecorated. No one has even slept on the bed.”
    I want to know more, but it’s obvious Rita isn’t sharing. So I set my smaller bag at the foot of the bed and unzip it.
    Directly across from the bed is a bathroom, and to the right is what looks like a walk-in closet.
    Rita follows my gaze. “I’ll have your things moved from Johnny’s room to this one… if this suits you.”
    I nod. “It’s perfect. Thank you, Rita.”
    “Of course.” She rolls the suitcase over to the closet. “When you’re finished, come downstairs. I baked apple pie and you’re welcome to have a piece.”
    My stomach growls. It has to be close to lunchtime and I haven’t eaten. “I’ll be right down,” I tell her, smiling.
    She comes over and gives me a quick hug. I stand stupidly a moment before I remember my manners and hug her back.
    “I’m glad you’re here,” she says, wiping a tear from her eye. “I know he’ll be glad you’re here too.”
    I kiss her cheek. She brings out the adoration in me, I guess. “Thank you so much, Rita.”
    She blushes and waves a hand over her face. “I’ll see you downstairs in a few.”
     

     
    When she leaves, I quickly unpack my makeup bag. The bathroom has the same décor as the bedroom: An accent wall, a smaller version of the chandelier, and gray painted walls. The towels are a mixture of violet-red, gray, and