“Denise, that’s no way to treat my guest.” Camilla put her hand on Lindsey’s. “As you can see, I got the looks and the brains, and Denise here got the excellent people skills.”
Denise shot Camilla a dirty look.
“If you must know, we met around two months ago,” Camilla said.
“That’s awfully fast, don’t you think?” Denise’s eyes never left Lindsey’s face.
“You know what they say about lesbian relationships. Well, I suppose you wouldn’t.”
“So, you were together for a couple of weeks before you decided to move in?” Denise held her hand up, palm out, in Camilla’s direction. “Don’t answer for her. I’m sure she’s capable of saying more than a few words.”
Lindsey swallowed. “Well, I needed a place to stay, so Camilla invited me. It’s just for a few months.”
“How generous of you, Millie.”
Camilla corrected her again. “It’s Camilla.”
“What is it that you do, Lindsey?” Denise asked.
“Well, I used to work at a call center selling insurance until recently. It isn’t what I wanted to do with my life, but I needed a job after college, so I took it.”
Camilla squeezed Lindsey’s hand. “She’s an artist, actually.”
“Oh?” Denise gave Lindsey an icy look. “So you spend your days drawing pictures while leeching off my family’s money?”
“For starters, it’s my money, and I’ll do what I want with it,” Camilla said. “And Lindsey isn’t leeching off anyone. Even if she was, it wouldn’t justify how rude you’re being.”
“I’m just telling the truth, Millie. Can’t you see that-”
“That’s enough,” Camilla said sharply. “If you say one more nasty thing about Lindsey, you can find somewhere else to stay tonight.”
“It’s my house too. You can’t kick me out.”
“Last time I checked, our parents left the house to me. And for a good reason.”
Denise scoffed. “Because you’re the fucking golden child.”
“No, it’s because I know the meaning of family,” Camilla said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m above kicking you out if you continue to disrespect Lindsey. So shut up and eat this lovely dinner that has been prepared for us.”
Denise scowled, but she didn’t say anything. She simply picked up her fork and continued to eat.
The rest of the meal passed in near silence, but the expression on Denise’s face spoke volumes. She didn’t like that Lindsey was here.
And she didn’t like Lindsey.
After sitting through the whole meal, from appetizers to dessert, Camilla turned to Lindsey and gave her a strained smile.
“Darling, my sister and I have a lot to catch up on,” she said. “We’ll be in the drawing room if you need me.”
“Yes, Mis-” Lindsey flushed. “Sure.”
Lindsey kissed Camilla on the cheek and got out of there as fast as she could.
Lindsey was lying on the bed in her room with her headphones on, listening to music and messaging Faith, when Denise appeared at the foot of her bed.
Lindsey sat up with a start. “Denise. I didn’t hear you come in.” She hadn’t even knocked, which had to be intentional.
“I just knew Camilla would put you in here.” Denise glared around the room. “Typical. This was always the nicest of the guest suites. Only the most important visitors were allowed to stay here. Never our friends or relatives. Certainly not stragglers off the streets.”