Page 78 of Villainous Summer

Well, now I’m not coming out until she goes into the other stall.

That was basic bathroom etiquette.

I counted to ten, then thirty. She was still there, not moving an inch.

Time was up. I couldn’t sit on this toilet all night. Van was waiting for me.

I pulled the door open, and Kodi looked at me.

Holding a tube of bright red lip gloss, she had only done her bottom lip.

She paused, setting the tube down. “Hey, I know you.”

Gulping, I joined her at the sink.

It was that or retreat into my toilet fortress.

The water was cool on my hands, and I watched as my fingers laced under the stream, the foam from the soap washing away.

“I’m not sure—”

“No, I never forget a face. You work at that hotel my fiancé and I were looking at. We were there a month ago. We thought it might be cute, but you guys were too small. Cory said nothing but the best for me, and, of course, my parents want to invite, like, two hundred people.”

I gave her a weak smile. “Weddings can be like that.”

“I was looking at the garden reserve, but it’s impossible to get an email back from there.”

“Oh, call and ask to speak to Pam. She’s the coordinator. She’s very old school and doesn’t believe in email. Or texts. But she’ll call you back if you leave a message. And if you’re looking to cut costs, I know their Friday and Sunday weddings are a fraction of the price.”

I wasn’t sure what came over me, likely the years of customer service.

Clasping her hands together, Kodi jumped, her chunky heels whacking the floor. “Thank you! That is so helpful. You don’t even know.”

Before I knew what was happening, her arms were around me, pinning mine to my sides, as she encased me in her lingerie store scent.

“Don’t mention it.” I pulled an arm free to pat her half-heartedly on the back.

She beamed at me as she pulled away. “I’m so glad because this wedding is getting expensive. I have my job with Dr. Christian and, of course, my custom tumblers—”

“I love tumblers. I need to order one for my cousin’s wife. She’s expecting in a few months.”

This was my in. I wasn’t sure if she read the proof I had sent a few days before.

Some women will stand by their partners. But if I could direct her to them, maybe she would leave him.

“Give me the name, and I’ll order one tonight.”

She showed me her online shop, and I looked it up on my phone, then showed her that I found it.

When she got to the door, she held it open for me to step out before her.

I didn’t want to like her, but I did. For the first time since planning this scheme, I felt guilty. Kodi didn’t deserve to be caught up in that.

I hesitated.

Should I tell her?

Blurting out that her fiancé was a lying, cheating asshole in the middle of a high-end seafood restaurant wasn’t the best idea. But she deserved to know. No, she’d check her email that very night. I was sure of it.

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