Page 38 of Forever Endeavor

“Hey there, honey.” Yvette flashed a smile as Billie took a seat at the end of the lunch counter. “You here to get afternoon coffee for the boys at the garage? I’ll put on a fresh pot and pack up some pecan bars.”

“Actually, I’d like to stay and pick your brain if you have a moment.”

“What I’ve got left is all yours.” Yvette flipped a coffee mug upright in front of Billie and proceeded to fill it. “What’s up?”

Billie reached for the bowl of dairy-free creamers and grabbed two. “Do you know Sonny’s ex-wife?”

“Melissa? Sure.”

“Can you tell me anything about her?”

“Local girl, former homecoming queen. Family’s lived in town for ages. Her folks own the Janus Hardware, Liquor and Variety.”

“Come on. Give me something I can really work with here.”

Yvette rested the coffee pot on the counter. “Oh, you mean, you want the dirt?”

Billie cocked an eyebrow. “Girl, what do you think?”

Yvette leaned in and beckoned for Billie to do the same. “Melissa Hayes is a capital-B Beeyotch with a nasty reputation that has stuck like shit to a shovel. She walks into a store and the staff go into hiding because dealing with her just ain’t worth the commission. She’s rude and demanding. Your basic entitled princess.”

Billie bristled atprincess. Is that why Sonny started calling her that? Did he really peg her to be like his ex? “What else can you tell me?”

“Hmm. I recall one time she got this dog. You know, one of those yappy little teacup poodles that fits in your purse? Well, she kept the poor thing for a few weeks, then took it back to the breeder and demanded a different dog even though it had already grown attached to her. It wasn’t until Melissa threw a tantrum and threatened to sue that they finally gave her a new dog. And guess what? She did the exact same thing and returned that one too. Apparently, caring about something other than herself is too much work for Little Miss Manicure.”

I’m sure she’ll make a really excellent mother.“Ugh. What did Sonny ever see in her?”

“Once a woman like Melissa sinks her claws in, a fella doesn’t stand a chance. Those types always get exactly what they want, no matter what or who they have to do to get it.”

“Would you happen to know where I could find her?”

Yvette tsk-tsked. “Billie, what are you up to? Don’t go looking for trouble now.”

“I’m not looking for trouble, I’m trying to find a way out of it.”

A customer came in and plunked himself down at the counter a few stools away. Yvette moved over to greet him with a menu and glass of water, and then returned to Billie.

“She works as a teller at the bank on Sixth. But don’t tell Sonny I told you.”

“Trust me, what Sonny doesn’t know won’t hurt him, and hopefully, it won’t come back to bite us in the ass either.”

Yvette sighed. “I can tell you like Sonny. It’s perfectly understandable once you realize that underneath that hard outer shell, he’s actually very soft and sweet.”

“So, basically, he’s an M&M,” Billie joked.

“I mean he’s been hurt and built walls around his heart. It’s not going to be easy for him to let anyone in.”

Billie sipped her coffee. “Sometimes, those walls aren’t to keep others out, but to find out who cares enough to tear them down.”

“Question is, do you care enough to tear ‘em down?”

“My job’s not to be Sonny’s wrecking ball,” Billie said. “We’re just friends.”

“Your lips say one thing, but your eyes are telling me something else. Trust me, if Sonny is anything like his uncle, you’ll only end up beating your head against those walls of his.”

“Uh-oh. That sounds like the voice of experience talking.”

“Aw, I’ve had that big ol’ fish nibbling on my line for years, but no matter what I do, I can’t reel Cal in. He’s what Dr. Phil calls emotionally unavailable.”

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