“Asked if your shift was over, and I told him you’re on break. He turned and left. He better not come back and sit in your section. He's my regular now. He tips well. Even if he is an asshole.”
“An asshole?” Rae frowns.
“Yeah, that’s what I said. He’s an asshole. Some people just are. Not everyone is all rainbows and unicorns, Rae.” This chick knows an asshole when she sees one because she is one of them herself.
“He can sit wherever he requests,” I tell her, letting her know I’m not gonna allow her to speak to Rae like that. She swings her gaze toward me. “One time doesn’t make him a regular, and clearly he didn’t like your service if he asked about another server.” I usually wouldn’t be a bitch, but this girl deserves it. I don’t like the way she’s talking to Rae. If she has a problem with her, then she also has one with me. Maybe the guy wasn’t an asshole but got stuck with this sourpuss. He can’t be all bad if he still left a nice tip.
Her eyes flick over me, and I give her a look that says, Try it. Rae is a sweetheart, and this witch clearly abuses that niceness. Not today.
“Whatever.” She turns and stomps off. Rae laughs.
I suck up every second of Rae’s lunch break before I have no choice but to leave. I text Justin that I’m ready to go. He picks me up and takes me back home.
“Mrs. Castillo,” the doorman says, opening the door for me. He catches me completely off guard. He’s not the same one I saw yesterday or even when I left earlier.
“Thanks.” I get out. Not only do I have a husband but people are calling me by his last name. Is that something I’m supposed to do? Handle a name change?
“Hold the elevator, please.” I reach out and catch it right before it closes. A beautiful blonde comes rushing on. I don’t know how she ran in those heels, but she did it. She doesn’t need them. The girl has to be 6’1. “Thank you.” She gives me a smile before she goes to hit the button but pauses. Her eyes swing back to me. “Who are you?” she asks, that smile dropping away.
“Julieta, but everyone calls me JJ.”
“You hit the wrong floor.” She taps the top floor. My floor.
“Well, since you need a key to hit that floor or it won’t work, I clearly didn’t.” I hold up my key. Her eyes take me in once again.
“I don’t need the attitude. What are you doing at Vincent Castillo’s? Does something need servicing? I generally handle his home, but I’ve been out of town. Aaron or Vincent must have forgotten to fill me in on something.” This has to be Lauren, the woman that Fay had mentioned helps Vinny out. Of course, she’s beautiful. Not only that, she is very put-together. She looks like she belongs in this building.
I’m in jeans, sneakers, and a Britney Spears shirt that’s pretty faded at this point. I’d gotten it at her concert after Rae and I won tickets. It was shot out of one of those shirt cannon things at the concert. I’ll wear this thing till it falls apart. Then Rae will sew it back together and wear it.
“Vincent doesn't have women coming and going from his place?” I tease. Okay, it’s not a tease, but still I wouldn’t mind hearing the answer.
“No. Only his mother and me. Not that these things are your business. Don’t make me ask again. What are you doing here?” she asks as we reach the top floor and the doors slide open.
I’m not going to like this girl. She’s been rude from the start. Even before I toyed with her. I almost think she’s acting territorial. My eyes flick to her hand, not seeing a ring there. Vinny could have fake married her if he was just looking for convenience, but he didn’t. That thought makes me feel marginally better.
“I’m here to service Vincent Castillo.” I smirk, stepping off the elevator. She gasps, then suddenly grabs my arm. I spin back around. She’s lost her damn mind.
“Get your hands off me.”
“I will do no such thing because you’re a liar,” she hisses. I don’t know what is wrong with me, but I can’t help myself. I take a step back toward her, and she releases her hand and takes two steps back herself. Rae is the softer one of the two of us. When you grow up like us, you have to show people you won’t let them push you around, or it will only worsen. I’m not going to put my hands on her, but I’m going to make it really clear that she will keep hers off me.
“I’ve lied about nothing. I serviced him just this morning in his shower. I’ll probably be doing it again when he gets home from work later.” Her whole face turns red. “That's why I got a key, after all. I’m very good at my services.” Her eyes go to the key in my hand. I’m guessing they don’t give keys out to random people that are swinging by to do jobs.
“You are lying. As I told you, I’m the one that takes care of all of Vincent Castillo’s home needs. He might have needed you while I was gone, but I’m back now. I came home a day early.” She says it with conviction, which makes me believe Vinny isn’t having random women coming and going but maybe one. This one.
“JJ?” I turn to see Fay standing in the doorway.
“Hey.” I give her a warm smile. “I didn't know you were coming by. Were you waiting for me? I’m sorry.”
“No, I was just in the area. When I talked to Vincent, he said he was working late so I thought I could teach my new daughter-in-law how to make his favorite cookies,” she says. “Hello, Lauren.” Her tone is flat when she speaks to her. She’s polite but not overly friendly.
“I, ah…” Lauren stands there with a dazed expression.
“You okay?” Fay asks but doesn’t actually sound concerned.
“I must have misheard you because I could’ve sworn you said daughter-in-law.”
“You heard right. Oh, you didn't know that Vincent got married?” Now Fay is smiling at her. I go ahead and give Lauren a smile too. When her face falls, I have instant guilt. Damn it. Why do I care? She was a bitch to me, but maybe I would be too if Vincent dropped me like he might have dropped her. Shit hurts.