“Seriously? I’m going to be late.”
“Have it on the way.” Then he adds, “But only when you’re stopped at red lights.”
I give him a smile. He’s just worried and being sweet. I kiss him. “Okay. Thanks.”
“I wish you didn’t have to work today. It’s Sunday.”
“I know. I’ll review my schedule and see what I can do to take some weekends off. See you this afternoon.”
I step into the elevator and hit the button for the garage, munching on the bagel. It’s quite good. Maybe I’m hungrier than I thought. I polish off more than half by the time the elevator arrives.
Quickly, I move toward my car. Then I stop when I see the familiar figure of Edgar’s mom moving toward me.
How did she get in? I thought this building had great security.
But maybe she snuck in after somebody. She’s a woman and richly dressed. Nobody would stop her, thinking she doesn’t belong in the building.
I pretend not to see her. I know it’s not the best move—and rude to boot—but I don’t have time to talk with her even if I wanted to. And I don’t, not after what happened yesterday and not until I know more about what’s going on in Edgar’s family.
“Jo!” she calls out.
Argh. Just feign deafness.
“Josephine Martinez!” she says, louder.
Her heels start clicking on the concrete floor at an accelerated pace.
This must be how a deer feels. She’s just minding her own business, munching on some grass in a forest, and all of a sudden somebody’s trying to hunt her down.
No way to ignore Edgar’s mom now. I stop, paste on a smile and turn around. “Oh, hello, Margot. I didn’t hear you.”
She’s breathing like I just made her run a marathon. “I need to talk to you.”
“Actually, I’m on my way to an appointment,” I say, taking a step toward my car. It’s only a few yards away. “I’m going to be late if I don’t leave now.”
Her lips curl in a hint of disdain. “Let’s be serious. You? Work? You’re with my son now, who’s worth billions.”
Ooo-kay. What tiny crumb of pity I might’ve felt for the way she was treated at the party evaporates.
“Well, I’m a professional who seriously does take some pride in her career,” I say, although I know I should get going rather than wasting my time talking with her. Traffic better be perfect. “And how did you know that I would be working today, anyway? It’s Sunday.”
“My husband doesn’t employ incompetent PIs, my dear. The value of good information is something you learn when you have money.”
“You’ve been spying on me? And hacked my email?”
She doesn’t even try to be coy like she was at the café. “Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to be tossed out by your own child? And all over a misunderstanding?”
“If there’s a misunderstanding, you need to work it out with whoever you’re having the problem with, not me. I can’t help you.” I start walking backward toward my Lexus.
“Edgar cares about you.”
“And I care about him. But I’m not getting involved in your drama.” I hit the button on my fob, and my car unlocks. “I’m going now.” I start to get in.
“Then I’ll release the video.”
I go still, my brain stuttering and going white in an instant of panic. I turn my head toward her. “What?”
“The sex tape you made with your former boyfriend. I’m going to release it.”