Shadow of Suspicion (Haunted by the Past) by Danielle Rose-West

down in front of her. He slid into the seat opposite her.
    Lucinda glanced up briefly. Her
fingers flew over her keypad. “Great.”
    “Who are you texting?” He made a grab
for her phone, but she quickly pulled it out of his reach. Jason frowned. Was
that a flash of guilt he saw in her expression or was he imagining things?
    “Oh, just Sue.” Lucinda cast him a
peeved glare. “She was all for stringing you up after last night. I told her
how you kicked me out and frankly, she was disgusted.” She stuck her phone in
her bag. “I texted to tell her that you’ve taken me out to dinner tonight. To
be honest, she thinks it’s not enough……….considering.”
    Jason slowly unzipped his coat and
attempted to hold on to his temper. He knew Lucinda always told her friend
every little detail, but he hated it. He couldn’t stand Sue. She was forever
sticking her nose into their relationship; all to stir up trouble he was sure.
Lucinda never noticed the conniving character Sue possessed and that drove him
crazy.
    “I don’t see what it has to do with
her,” Jason growled. He slipped his coat off and hung it over the back of his
chair.
    “At least she has my best interests
at heart. And I think she has a point.” Lucinda leaned forward and poked Jason
in the chest. “Yesterday just proved that I am nowhere near the top of your
priorities. It’s always your family first. I’m your girlfriend. I should be top
of your list.”
    Jason rolled his eyes and rubbed the
spot where her nail had dug in. “You are important, Luce, but I can’t ignore my
sister when she needs me. Fay is having a hard time lately. I wish you would
cut her some slack.”
    “Like she does for me?” Lucinda
cocked an eyebrow at him.
    “You’re the adult here. She’s only
fifteen, Luce.”
    Lucinda threw her hand up in the air.
“You would say that. Fay can do no wrong in your eyes. I am sick to death of
coming in last with you. I think it’s about time you proved that I matter.” She
paused. “I want a stronger commitment from you.”
    Jason choked on the mouthful of beer
he’d just gulped. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and regarded her
through watery eyes. He did not like the sound of this.
    “Meaning what, exactly?” he forced
out of his tight throat.
    “Meaning, I think we should move in
together.”
    Jason stared at her for a sign that
she was joking, but her face remained serious and determined. “What the hell
has brought this on? You’ve always maintained that you like your own space.
What’s changed?”
    “Sue made me realise that your family
will never take me seriously, and you will never put me first, if I’m only ever
a casual girlfriend.” She leaned forward and stabbed the table with her finger.
“We’re a couple, Jason. It seems ridiculous to me to have separate places to
live. It makes perfect sense to pool our resources and live in one location.
Don’t you agree?”
    Jason slowly sat forwards. He folded
his arms and rested them on the table in front of him. He glared into Lucinda’s
eyes. “Would you be asking me this if Sue hadn’t stuck her oar in?”
    “What has that to do with anything?”
Lucinda pouted. “She has a valid point. I want to be taken as family. Moving in
together will accomplish that.”
    “I disagree. You and Fay aren’t going
to magically become best buddies just because we live together.” He held up a
hand to stop her from speaking. “Being family is about give and take. You
haven’t made enough effort with mine for them to accept you. That needs fixing
before we take the step you’re suggesting.”
    “You’re saying no?” Lucinda’s hands
curled into fists and her face hardened.
    “I am for the time being. I won’t
have Fay feeling like she can’t come to me when she needs me. She’s lost far
too much and I won’t have her feeling like she’s lost me as well. I’m sorry. If
things get better between you both, then we can discuss this again.” Jason