Page 39 of Forever Endeavor

“Or maybe what both of the Hayes men need is a gentle nudge in the right direction.”

“A little advice Billie? Never chase a man or push him to do anything he’s not ready to do. There’s a reason why the eggs don’t swim to the sperm.”

Billie dropped off the coffees and pecan bars at the garage. Gurdeep was the only one there as Sonny had been called away for a towing job. Just as well, he probably would’ve figured out she was up to something, and she didn’t want to have to lie to him about it. She told Gurdeep to enjoy the treat, and then pointed herself in the direction of Lakeside Savings & Loan.

She’d been so fixated on finding dog-hating Cruella deVille that Billie hadn’t rehearsed what to say before she found herself pushing on the bank’s revolving door. Three bank tellers were working behind the customer counter. They were only visible from the neck up and the reflection made it difficult to tell if any of their floating heads matched the bride she’d seen in Bernice’s photo album. One of the tellers, a grandmotherly type, was a snap to rule out. The other two appeared equally unpleasant. Billie ping-ponged between the brunette with sculpted brows and big, ‘90s blowout-style hair, and the blonde with severe bangs and cheekbones you could grate cheddar on. In the end, she set her sights on the brunette. Hello, homecoming queen.

“Next.”

The customer ahead of her in line left and Billie advanced to the window. The teller on the other side wore a maternity smock, resting bitch face, and a nametag that readMelissa H.Bingo. Billie couldn’t believe she was face to-bulletproof glass-to face with Sonny’s ex. This was the woman to whom he pledged eternal love? He could do better. In fact, he was.

“Can I help you?”

Oh shit.Billie drew a blank. Nothing. Zippo. Nada. Zilch.

“Are you hearing impaired? Do… you require... assistance …with someone who… can interpret… sign language?” Melissa made animated hand gestures that were obviously fake and offensive, not only to members of the deaf community but to anyone fluent in bullshit.

“Uh, no. I’m here to…to—” Now what?What are you going to say, dumbass? Let yourex-husband have the house and live in peace. Oh, and kindly go fuck yourself?

Melissa stared icily. “Yes? You’re here to…?”

“Open an account,” Billie fibbed.

Melissa reached under the counter, pulled out a banking form and proceeded to date stamp it. “Are you a resident?”

“Uh, no, I’m not.”

“There’s a service fee and a minimum deposit of fifty dollars required for non-residents.”

“That’s fine. I plan to do business in town, and figured opening an account would be a more convenient way to access funds.” Billie was unable to stop herself from babbling.

Melissa put pen to paper and began ticking boxes. “Do you need a business account?”

“No, just personal.”

“Checking or savings?”

“Checking.”

“Your name?”

Billie stalled. She hadn’t thought about having to revealher identity before taming this shrew. She could use her nom de plume, but then again, lying to a bank teller was probably a federal offense and Melissa wasn’t worth the prison time, even if it was only minimum security. “Oh, gee, you know what? I’ve forgotten my ID at home. I’ll have to come back another time.”

Melissa glowered at the no-name out of towner as she shredded the wasted form in two.

Billie shrugged and smiled. “Sorry, honest mistake.”

Any hint of a smile would’ve cracked Melissa’s stony veneer. “Have a nice day. Next.”

Billie turned to leave.Well, that went great.Accomplished nothing but making a total ass of yourself.No! She had to stand up for Sonny. After all, she wasn’t one of those mousy store clerks too timid to stop Melissa from getting her way.No, no, no. Not today Satan.“It isn’t right that you’re kicking Sonny out of the house,” Billie blurted.

Melissa’s face reddened as she gaped with a saucer-eyed stare. “I beg your pardon?”

“Pretty sure you heard me the first time. Or do you need a sign language interpreter?”

“Who the hell are you? Did my ex send you?”

“No, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see you for myself. Frankly, you sounded too much like a Disney villain to be real,” Billie sneered. “You reneged on the deal you and Sonny had, and that’s really shitty. So just back off and let him keep the house. It’s the least you can do after putting him through the emotional meat grinder. I know it, you know it, and this whole damn town knows it.”

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