100% Compatibility novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Offer

Odette's invitation came to Maeve's phone, because Odette knew where I was.

"Eleven o'clock. Any place you like. I'll come alone."

"Alone," said Maeve, with enormous contempt.

"She's never been alone in her life."

I picked the Dot Ave Diner, three blocks from the house I grew up in.

It had red booths, a pie case, and a sign that said NO CELL PHONE CALLS that nobody had obeyed since 1998.

It was full.

I wanted every table.

Odette came in at eleven exactly, in a gray wool coat and a silk scarf, and the whole room looked up.

She picked her way to my booth.

Maeve sat beside me with her arms crossed.

Biscuit's carrier was on the seat, and Biscuit hissed.

"How charming," said Odette.

"Sit," I said.

"Do you want coffee?"

"Is it clean?"

"It's three dollars," said the waitress, setting down a mug without being asked, "and it's the best in Dorchester."

Odette smiled thinly and did not touch it.

She placed a cream envelope on the table and slid it across to me with one finger.

"This is a cashier's check," she said.

"Four hundred thousand dollars."

"There's also a lease on a flat in Seattle, one year paid, and a letter of recommendation from me, personally."

"You would leave Boston by Friday."

"You'd never have to see Ronan or Barrett again."

"And I would say nothing more about the money."

"The money," I said.

"Your father's care," said Odette, softly.

Keep reading free with an account. Start 100% Compatibility from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.