Page 84 of The Jilted Lovers Club
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret them. What I said is no better than Alexander standing on that stage, telling everyone he bought her clothes. She narrows her eyes, placing her hands on the counter as if getting ready to leave.
“That was uncalled for,” I offer. “I’m sorry.”
She breathes in through her nose, lowering back on her seat. “Apology accepted,” she says through her teeth. “But in case you have any doubt, let me shed light on the truth. I do not datefor money, which should be abundantly clear by the fact that I ended things before he hired me. I never went out with him again, even though he’s expressed interest numerous times. I have my own money, and I will never be dependent on any man, no matter how rich he is. Second, I thought Alexander was a nice guy, but we had nothing in common. I wasn’t about to become another accessory on his arm. Third, once he hired me, that put an immediate boundary between us. I do not date people I work with. Once I determined he was hiring me for my skill and not because he wanted me in the sack, I was glad to work for him. It’s a job that could open many doors for me and help me get my business off the ground.” She looks down then, studying her hands. “At least, that was the thought process before I found out all of…” she shakes her head.
“Jordy signed an NDA when she was hired,” Griffin explains. “She doesn’t know much, but what she does know is bound by this contract. If she violates it and Alexander finds out, he could come after Jordy’s business.”
“So, you’re saving your ass while we all lose ours?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
“No, she’s protecting her family and the business they all own, just like any of us would do for our own families.”
Okay, fair. “Fine, then what do we do now?”
“You hire a lawyer,” Jordy says. “This contract was drawn up rather quickly. There might be some things they overlooked—things we could work with to stop the sale.”
“I know someone,” Bob pipes in. “My cousin over in Collingstown. He owes me, so maybe he’ll even take the case pro bono.”
“Well, we can call tomorrow,” Bec says, glancing at the clock on the wall. It’s nearly one in the morning, and just hours from first feeding.
Everyone stands up, and I can sense the unasked question in the room. Will Jordy stay here? “I’m beat,” I say. “Lock up on your way out.”
Then I turn and leave everyone in my kitchen, letting Jordy figure out her living situation on her own.
Overstayed Welcome
Jordy
“Dear, stay at our place.” Bec places a hand on my shoulder before I can pick up my bags. I refrain from brushing her off, even though I’m still angry with her. With all of them. I didn’t ask for any of this by coming here. I wish I’d never come at all. It seems my life has been catapulted into one drama after another, from Alexander’s bad business dealings to their family issues—and none of it is my doing.
But even still, I love Bec. Despite the way she turned her back on me—just like everyone else in this goddamn town—I love her. I can’t forget all the ways she’s been kind to me over the past few weeks, starting with giving me—a stranger—her daughter’s room, and continuing with all the ways she cared for me. In many ways, she’s been more of a mother to me than my own mom.
But then she took Alexander’s word without caring about mine.
I don’t hate Bec. I’m devastated.
“No, thank you.” I feel her hand slip away, and I pick up my bags with one hand, my shoes in the other. By now, this dress I’m wearing feels like one huge joke, and there’s no way I’m putting those stilettos back on. Not with this dirt road. Lord knows my feet will be black by the time I reach the airport.
“There’s room at the hotel,” Bernie says.
“No offense, Bernice, but I know Alexander is staying there, and I won’t stay within a hundred yards of that man. As soon as I reach New York, I’m…”
I’m what? Because what do I have to go back to? I’ve been working for Alexander for most of the time I’ve lived in the City, hoping to make a name for myself. But so far, my only real connection is him. Without Alexander, I have nothing.
“It’s late,” Griffin says, taking my luggage from my hands and placing it in the backseat of my car.
“Alexander is on the top floor,” Bernie says, “in the penthouse.”
Griffin rolled his eyes, laughing. “That old room? You’re still calling it the penthouse?” He turns to me. “That used to be my playroom when I was a kid because no one rented it out, then it became storage.” He looks at his mom. “Even for that asshole, I can’t believe you gave him that room.”
She shrugs. “He insisted, and I felt bad about it before. But now, I’m not so sure.” She looks at me. “I can place you in a modest room on the second floor. He won’t even know you’re there, and I’m not telling him. But it’s much too late to leave. Besides, we need you.”
“You don’t need me,” I say, though I’m softening. I’m exhausted. Maybe everything will feel easier with a good night’s sleep. “Fine, one night. But in the morning, I’m headed to the airport, and I’m never coming back. You all can figure out this mess on your own. I didn’t cause any of it, and I’m sure as hell not getting more involved than I already have.”
“Fair,” Bernie says.
I wake up the next morning with a feeling of heaviness and dread I cannot name. Yesterday’s events wash over me as the sleep leaves my body, and I sigh heavily into the quiet of my room. I open my eyes, not yet ready to move and in serious need of some coffee. When I finally rise to sitting, I feel the weight of a thousand pounds on my shoulders.
Even though I’m not a part of Alexander’s horrible plan to take over Lahoma, Ashton still hates me. I’m devastated for the town, and I wish with all my heart I could fix it. Now that the ink has dried, I’m not sure how. More than anything, I wish Ashton would look at me again the way he’d looked at me before.
