Page 21 of The Summer Request
Her nostrils flared. “You should not be touching that!”
Chloe turned to her. “Thank you, Debbie. I think we’re all set for today.”
Debbie shot one last glare at the three of them before taking her vacuum cleaner and stomping out.
Chloe turned to Michelle. “Did you bring this here?”
Michelle shook her head. “No. It was by the door. The box was damaged and…I looked inside.”
Val’s phone went off, merrily playing the chorus of her most popular songI Won’t Be Bringing Home the Bacon Anymore.
She flashed a smile and answered it in a hushed voice. “Uh huh. Yes. Of course, we’ll be right there. Give us ten minutes.”
Lisa clapped her hands together. “Was thatour next job?Gosh, we don’t want to be late.”
“No, it was Hotel Lusso.” Val took her gloves off with a snap and patted Chloe on the shoulder. “Tough luck, love. Keep your chin up.”
She pulled the front door open and disappeared into the blinding Miami sun. Lisa followed, and Michelle scooted past without making eye contact.
Eight
Back in the car, Val hit the gas and peeled out so wildly that she almost clipped the driveway gate.
Michelle’s heart rate was through the roof. “I can’t believe we just did that.”
“You’re a star!” Val yelled, turning around to flash a smile. “I told you we needed you.”
Typical Val. Michelle didn’t want to melt into her flattery, but it wasn’t easy. She hadn’t expected to find anything, particularly when she wasn’t looking.
She really hadn’t expected it to feel sogood.
“Do you think we’re going to get in trouble?” Lisa asked, fidgeting with her hands. Her face was fixed in such a severe frown it was almost comical.
Val turned to look at her. “Get in trouble for what? That house is spotless.”
“You didn’t make it very convincing that we were really there to clean!” Lisa’s voice was high-pitched, bordering on a whine.
Michelle watched the houses go by. “I think the only one in trouble is Lou with his secret family.”
Val slowed the car as they approached the community gate. “Yeah, that girl doesn’t care about us.”
The gate lifted automatically, releasing them.
“Oh good.” Lisa clapped a hand to her chest. “I was afraid she would call security to have us stopped at the gate.”
“What? Why?”
Lisa threw her hands up in the air. “Because she’s clearly upset! Instead of blaming Lou, whom she should blame, she’s probably blaming us. It’s a textbook emotional reaction.”
The sun was starting to cook them alive. It was a relief when Val pulled onto the main road and picked up some speed. Michelle shut her eyes and took in the breeze.
“Are you speaking from experience, my friend?” Val asked.
“No, absolutely not. Neil and I have had our problems, but he has never cheated on me.”
Michelle opened her mouth, but quickly shut it. It was best to leave that one alone. Not cheating was a rather low standard, but it was no secret that Neil was not a model husband. It wasn’t her business to comment.
“Lisa, try not to worry about it,” Val said. “Think about the gourmet lunch that’s waiting for us.”
