Is she there? Is she looking for me?
Would she even know where to look?
“Why?” I ask, trying to make my voice sound more firm, more solid. Like I can give them a fight if I need to.
Even though I don’t know how well my body can function at this point in time.
I wiggle my toes, thankful they move around in my shoes.
“Why didn’t you just fuck my husband when he asked?”
I nearly choke at her words. “Umm.” He never asked me.
This woman is obviously mental.
Rhonda laughs. “If you would have just slept with the man all this would not even be happening right now.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think I understand.”
“Look, we don’t want to hurt you. Just do what we want and your boyfriend and your brother’s company will be fine. We’ll leave you alone,” Jackie says.
“Do what?” At this point I will do nearly anything to save Two Ordinary Guys Construction.
“Say you slept with my husband.”
Except that.
“What do you mean?” I whisper.
Vanderbitch laughs. “Prenup.”
I scratch my head where I feel a lump forming. Did they drop me? “I don’t understand.”
Vanderbitch rolls her eyes, glancing over at Jackie before returning her attention to me. “If my husband cheats on me, then I don’t have to pay him when I hit him with divorce papers.”
“It’s all becoming clear. Will Vaughn and Spencer get their clients back?” I breathe a small sigh of relief when Vanderbitch nods. If I say Chuck and I had an affair, then they’ll leave me and my family alone. Two Ordinary Guys will get all their clients back.
I have to do this.
“Ok, I’ll do it.” I don’t know how I’ll do it. I don’t know the where of it all, but I know I have to do all I can for Two Ordinary Guys. “How?”
Rhonda sits next to me with Jackie at her side like a guard dog. “When I file for divorce they’ll ask you to swear under oath you and Chuck are having an affair.”
“Are?” I blink. “I thought I’d say we slept together once, or something easy.” Something that doesn’t involve my new budding relationship with the boy I’ve wanted my entire life.
Rhonda laughs. “Well it needs to look real, silly.” She stands from the couch, pacing the area.
I don’t like that she’s treating me like a kid. Her condescending tone doesn’t make me want to help her out.
I can’t believe Chuck ever fell for this woman.
“What do you get out of all of this, Jackie?”
Jackie wraps an arm around Rhonda and I quickly learn the two of them are an item. “I want to make her happy,” Jackie says, giving Rhonda a small kiss on her cheek.
“Fine,” I say, defeated. “Just tell me what I need to do.”
They both smile. “I knew you were a smart girl. First things first, you’ll have to break up with that major hottie you’re dating.”
Twenty-Six
Vaughn
* * *
It’s been almost a week since I last saw Paisley. The craziest thing happened and we actually got two of our old accounts back. Spencer was floored when Mr. Morgenstein wanted to come back.
It was like throwing a wrench into our plans we had set up for the month. So, of course, we scrambled, trying to make it all work.
I’ve been out to Paisley’s only a few times, and she’s been so busy with her own thing, that tonight I’m excited to see her.
I was invited to Sunday dinner, and not even by Paisley, but by Spencer. I shouldn’t be worried, right?
I show up a bit early, wanting to get a few minutes alone with Paisley.
I knock, and Mrs. Watts opens the front door and gives me a kiss on the cheek as she ushers me into the house.
“Paisley ran to the store. We were out of peas.”
I laugh a little, loving that Paisley would eat peas with every meal if given the chance. “Smells good.” I head further into the house, smiling at Spencer and Brian.
“Did you hear the good news?” Brian calls out.
I stand in the middle of the living room floor, wondering what he’s talking about. “Good news?”
“Paisley is starting her own company. Paisley Designs.”
I stuff my hands in the pocket of my dark jeans. “Ah, no I hadn’t heard.”
Paisley’s little Jetta pulls into the driveway and I head outside to greet her.
“Long time,” I say to her once she’s gotten out of her car.
Her face lights up with a smile, but she quickly grows stoic right in front of me, her smile fading. “Yeah, I’ve been so busy.”
I wrap my arms around her waist. “Look at me,” I say because I can’t get her to actually meet my eyes.
“Vaughn,” she breathes out, tears filling her eyes. “I have to put a stop to this. This isn’t right. I’m sorry.”
I don’t let go of her. “What?” Everything she’s saying doesn’t make sense. Things were going so well, or so I thought.