Free The Phantom Diaries by Kailin Gow Page B

while.”
    “Fascinating.”
    “When they were old enough, they came to America. Over time they went their own ways, but they’ve always kept in touch.”
    “Fascinating.”
    Hmmm, I thought. He certainly wasn’t bringing much to the conversation, or was I rambling too much? I looked at him and his eyes were glued to my lips. Was the story of my mom and Roberta really that fascinating? I hardly thought so.
    “Since they had invented this machine that could transport them from New York to New Orleans in a matter of seconds, they could just bat an eye and be at the other’s side.”
    “Fascinating.”
    Insulted beyond words, I straightened my shoulders and un-kinked my neck with a tense glance to the tables around us. I took one final sip of my café and stood.
    “Where are you going?”
    “You haven’t listened to a word I’ve said.   Fascinating. Fascinating. Fascinating,” I said, in an ugly mimic of his side of the conversation. “Is that all you can say?”
    He glanced around at the other patrons and I realized I was making a scene. “Please sit down,” he gently requested. While his voice was soft and inviting, the determination in his eyes belied how important it was that I sit again.
    Too angry to be soothed by his calm words, I refused to be intimidated. Owner of the opera house or not, I would not allow him to be so outrageously rude. “I apologize,” I said in a tone that was just as determined as his gaze, “but I have a dinner date and I’ve already allowed myself to run late in order to accommodate you.”
    “Accommodate me?”
    “I won the role of Adelle through hard work and dedication and am presently giving everything I have to the rehearsals. I don’t believe I owe you the story of my life nor my company as you sit there sipping of that tiny thing you call a coffee.”
    “Annette, please calm down.”
    I pulled my jacket off the back of the chair and quickly pulled it on. As I flipped my hair out from under my coat, I saw his eyes dance with amusement. It left me seething all the more. How dare he?
    “The next time you stop to ask a lady to have a cup of coffee with you, learn some manners. Or perhaps expand your vocabulary to include other adjectives. It would make your attempt to feign interest more convincing.”
    “You’re misunderstanding me terribly and I would love nothing more than another opportunity to show you just how sorry I am. You’re right, I’ve acted dreadfully.”
    “You sure have.”
    With a jerking motion that I knew was far from ladylike, I pulled my purse off the chair and swung it onto my shoulder. “And while you’re at it, why don’t you order a real coffee?”
    I stormed out knowing that my last comment was gratuitous and mean. But I was so angry, so outraged, so… argh. Men.

 
    Chapter 11
     
     
    Having wasted precious minutes with Mr. Arrogant, I hurried home to change before rushing out to meet Chace in front of the Met.
    “Wow, don’t you look all fired up,” he said in greeting.
    He seemed happy with my choice of snug jeans and form fitting button down shirt. Of course with the weather getting mighty chilly in the evenings, I’d traded in my leather coat for a warmer woolen one.
    “I’m sorry if I’m a bit late,” I said. I pecked him on the cheek and hooked my arm in his.
    “How was the day for ya?” He hailed a cab and opened the door for me like a true gentleman.
    “Great. Tiring, but great,” I said as I snuggled into the back seat with him.
    “You sure looked great, and sounded great, too. I knew you’d be great for the role.”
    Sensing his discomfort, I looked at him and smile. “It was great.”
    “Sorry,” he said. “I can be so lame sometimes. I just look at you and all vocabulary goes out the window.”
    “That’s not so great,” I teased.
    “Cut it out,” he said with a boyish grin.   “Now you’re just mocking me.”
    “Yeah, ‘cause you’re so fun to mock.” I reached for his face and pinched his