Page 80 of Never Been Worse

I was hoping the ice would break with Laurel and me at some point, but that has yet to happen. If anything, it’s gotten worse, her glares more intense and annoyed, seemingly purposely fucking with my shit or conveniently forgetting to get things that are just for me when she goes grocery shopping.

That’s why I’m here right now, though I’d rather be anywhere else. After the first time I told Wes that Laurel forgot to grab my creamer at the store, she continued to do it, no matter how many times I added it to the list. I mentioned it to her once in front of Wes, and the daggers she gave me while sweetly promising to get it next time were almost tangible. And since then, she’s consistently missed every item I ask for, to the point that I don't even bother to ask anymore.

When Wes found out I was going to the store yesterday to grab the essentials Laurel “forgot” to get me, he said he would talk to Laurel about it again since, while the paparazzi are slowing down a bit, it’s not uncommon to get stopped by one trying to get a juicy tidbit to sell.

But as much as I appreciate it, I don’t want Wes fighting my battles, and I think she might see that as my attacking her. Because of this, I told him I’d talk to her myself. Laurel is an important part of Wes’s life, whether or not I’m a big fan, and I want to cause the least amount of waves possible, especially now that we’ve decided we’re in this for the long run.

Today seemed to be the right time, as she’s in the kitchen, an iPad in her hands and surveying the fridge, seeming to make a grocery list for the week.

Perfect. I can just ask if there’s an easier way to add my stuff to her shopping list, and we can move on like adults.

“What?” she asks with a glare at me, and I sigh with the realization she’s not going to make this easier. I’m not exactly sure why the woman hates me so much, though I have my theories.

“Look, I’m not trying to make your job more difficult. I know you’ve been Wes’s assistant for a while—” I start, but she cuts me off.

“Five years,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. “Longer than you’ve evenknownof him.”

“That’s so great, really,” I say with a shake of my head, trying to steer this conversation in a more productive direction. “And he really values you and how you help out. He’d told me how you keep everything running so smoothly for him, and I’ve seen it too. You clearly aren’t my biggest fan, and I get it. Really, I do. I’m some stranger coming in and touching everything, another person you have to keep track of, and I know that probably adds a lot to your plate?—”

“I only have to take care of Wes,” she says, her chin tipping up.

“Yeah, got that, but I also know Wes sometimes sends you out on errands for me, like when you had to help with my wedding gift, and, well, some of my stuff is on the shopping list. I just want to check in and see if there’s an easier way for me to add things to that list. I totally get that you forget it sometimes, so I just?—”

“I don’t forget it,” she says, clipped.

“I’m sorry?”

“I don’t forget, Harper.” A small smile spreads on her lips. “I just only get what Wes needs.”

I roll my lips between my teeth and nod, taking a deep breath to center myself.

“Okay, well, maybe it would be easier if I took over the grocery shopping then? Because it seems silly for us both to go to the store, you know? I really don’t mind taking care of it and?—”

“What’s silly is you being here,” she says, firm and annoyed, crossing her arms on her chest and leaning a hip on the counter.

“I’m sorry?”

“I just think it’s silly you’re even here. It’s fake, right? You’re married or whatever, but it’s not real. You aren’t his wife, so you should stop acting like you matter to him. Instead, here you are, trying to weasel your way into his life, changing things, adding more work tomyplate, and I don’t even work for you.”

Anger is starting to boil in my veins, but I fight to tamp it down.Wes really values her, Harper. He’s done so much for you, you can endure this dumb bitch.

“I only ask because Wes asked me to.”

“That’s because Wes is nice. He’s doing a friend a favor by dealing with you. We all know it’s just to keep the attention off Riggins and Stella, but that’s not even going to be necessary soon, and then what?” She smiles wide. “Then you’ll be back to being a nobody, but I’ll still be here. You’ll be just like every other girl he’s dated.”

Blood drains from my face as she hits my own insecurities on the head, even if Wes has proven to me time and time again I can trust him. I think no matter what, I’ll always harbor the tiniest bit of fear and worry that I won’t be enough. I’ve worked past my fears, pushing them aside because being with Wes is well worth the risk, but you don’t justget oversomething like that overnight.

Laurel clearly can see she’s accomplished whatever she wanted and smiles wider. “One day, he’s going to open his eyes and see I’ve always been here for him. Until then, I’m going to have to endure you, but that does not mean I have to cater to you.”

In the corner of my eye, as she rambles on, though, I see the corner of a blue package in a cabinet. Where there used to be one packet of Oreos, there are four stacked neatly, something Wes will randomly come into my design room with—a quick cookie break, he calls it—and I’m reminded that I’m with him. He’s mine.

Clearly, Laurel wants my husband, and really, I can’t blame her, knowing what a catch he is, but I also know for the first time in my life that the man I’m with ismine, completely and totally.

I smile then.

“Don’t you think if he wanted you, you’d have him?” I ask, taking a step closer to her and crossing my arms on my chest.

“What?”

---