Page 90 of About that Fling
“Hell, I thought you were worried about her personal safety or privacy or something.”
“That would make me a better person, wouldn’t it?”
Mia laughed. “I think you’re fine, hon. I mean I know you and Gertie have this weird thing going where you pretend she doesn’t write really filthy, amazing smut—which I’ve enjoyed very much, by the way.”
“You and half the women in America.”
“That’s not a bad thing. I know the two of you do your damndest to avoid discussing the fact that she’s this mega-bestselling erotica author, but I think you might be overestimating how much anyone else cares. No offense.”
“None taken.” Jenna bit her lip. “You weren’t at Belmont when the shit hit the fan with the old CEO. You didn’t see how bad things got, how much it affected the staff’s trust in leadership. It tainted the way the whole community saw the hospital system.”
“Honey, you’re missing a key difference here.”
“What’s that?”
“Running an escort service is illegal. Last time I checked, writing smutty books isn’t. Not in this country, anyway.”
Jenna sighed. “Still, things are rocky with the negotiations right now. I don’t want to muddy the waters.”
“Sometimes getting a little dirty isn’t the worst thing. You should try it sometime.”
A fresh wave of guilt knocked Jenna backward, and she glanced at the door. Had Adam and Beth noticed how long she’d been gone? She was keeping her voice low, but still. For some reason, she didn’t want them to hear this. To know she was huddled in the bathroom whispering with Adam’s ex-wife like they were exchanging covert spy secrets.
“Sweetie, can I say something?” Mia asked.
Jenna drew her attention back to the conversation. “Have you ever needed my permission?”
“Not really. I was just being respectful. I just think you spend too much time worrying what other people will think of you. Just live your life the way you want to live it and don’t get so hung up on everyone else.”
The words felt like little daggers between her ribs, and she glanced at the bathroom door again.
Okay then, Mia—I’m sitting on your ex-sister-in-law’s bathroom floor in the midst of a weekend spent bonding with your former in-laws while alternately consoling your ex-husband and fucking his brains out.
“Jenna? You still there?”
“I’m here.”
“Just think about it, okay? Maybe it’s time you quit worrying so much about everyone else.”
“Okay,” she breathed, not sure she trusted herself to say anything more. “How are things going for you? Is Mark missing you madly while you keep Gert company?”
“Yeah, I guess so. I cooked dinner for Gertie last night, and I invited Mark and Katie to stop by afterward. I made Katie’s favorite peach cobbler, so I thought she might enjoy it, you know?”
“Sure, she’s always loved that.” Dread pooled in her gut. “Did something happen?”
Mia sighed. “Katie said she’s decided to go gluten free because her mom told her it’s healthier. She wouldn’t eat the cobbler, and then Mark got a text from Ellen asking him to come to the car dealership right away because she was buying a new car and needed him to sign off on the old one she was trading in. His name was still on the title.”
“It couldn’t wait?”
“Apparently not.” Mia sighed again. “I’m trying, Jenna. I’m trying so hard it hurts sometimes.”
“I know you are, honey. Maybe you need to try less. Invest less so you aren’t so disappointed all the time?”
Mia laughed. “Listen to us. You need to care less what other people think, and I need to care less what other people do. Maybe there’s a twelve-step program for us. Think Adam could recommend something?”
“I—I imagine so,” Jenna said, the guilt welling up in her again. “Look, I’d better go. Can you tell Gertie to wait until I get home to make any decisions on the TV show?”
“Will do. You’re coming home tomorrow afternoon?”
