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“Cole, please—”
“No, but she always does it. And I didn’t know what was wrong. She wouldn’t tell me. And she’s not usually like that. She’s always open with me. And I mean really open—”
“Stop,” I said, holding up my hands in mock surrender. “Please, please spare me the details. All I know is that she told Audrey what you offered her and that she wants more.”
“More than a condo and a car?”
“Yes, Cole.”
“Like what?” he asked, thoroughly perplexed.
“Like you. In the condo and in the car.”
“I was planning on being in the condo and in the car,” he said. “That’s sort of the point.”
“You should tell her,” I said. “Just be really clear. Sometimes they need to hear it with an exclamation point.”
“Sounds like you, bro,” he said and gave me a lopsided smile.
Audrey
We snorkeled all afternoon, laughing and talking and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. I finally got a minute alone with Jenny on the boat when the others were in the water. The captain was out of earshot, checking his instruments.
“So, are things better with you and Cole?” I asked. They’d taken a long walk down the beach earlier. Since then, they’d been holding hands and kissing, looking very much together. “You two seem like you’re being very romantic.”
“I decided to talk to him. Like you said.” Jenny took her sunglasses off and stuck them on her hat, so I could see her eyes. They were brimming with happiness.
“Being brave was your idea, if I remember correctly,” I said.
“That’s right—’cause I’m so wicked smart,” Jenny said and laughed. “He told me he loved me just now, Dre. He said he wants to move in with me when we get back.”
“That’s so awesome,” I said, because no other word would do. Jenny was my best friend, and she was finding happiness that she thought she’d never have.
“It is pretty frickin’ awesome,” she agreed, her eyes still shining. “We can double date,” she said, “and it’ll be box seats all the way, baby.”
“It’s crazy, right?” I asked. “Who’d have thought?”
“Me,” Jenny said. “This is where I get to say I told you so.”
“You did,” I admitted. Then I sighed. There was a black cloud hanging over me, in spite of the bright sunshine. “But it’s not all fun and games, unfortunately—last night, after we went to the bathroom? Mrs. Preston cornered me, remember? She hired a private investigator to find out about me, Jenny. She knows that I’m an escort. She knows about you, too.”
“She’s evil,” Jenny said, crossing herself. “I can’t stand to be in the same room with her. What’d she say?”
“She threatened me and offered to pay me off to go away. You know. Pretty much what you’d expect.”
Jenny snorted. “Did you tell James?”
“I did. He’s furious,” I said. “He told her this morning that I’m moving in with him and that he loves me.”
“I just got the chills.” Jenny ran her hands up and down her arms. “What’d she say?”
“Not too much. I don’t think she wanted to make him any angrier,” I said. “But just watch out for her. She’s a barracuda.”
“I can handle her.” Jenny tossed her curls. “It’s just too bad I can’t use a spear gun on her bony as**s.”
* * *
With all the sunshine and the happy news about Jenny and Cole, I almost forgot about Mrs. Preston and her threats. Almost.
When we got back to the resort, James went with Todd and Cole to have a beer and smoke cigars. Wanting to give them some guy time I begged off, citing a desperate need for some shade. I was headed back to the safety of my villa when Mrs. Preston practically jumped out of the bushes and grabbed my wrist again.
“Ow. Jesus,” I said. “Were you waiting to ambush me?”
“Something like that,” she said, giving me her best fake smile. A shiver ran down my back. “Where’s my son?”
“With Todd and Cole. But within shouting distance,” I said. I wasn’t sure if that was true, but she didn’t know that.
“Why didn’t you get on that plane this morning?” she asked.
I took a deep breath. “Because I love your son, Mrs. Preston. And he actually loves me back. I can’t just leave him because you don’t approve of me.”
I looked at her for a beat. “I’ve listened to everything you had to say about how I’m not the right person for James, and I actually agree with a lot of it. But the thing is, Mrs. Preston, we really do love each other. When that happens, all the things you’re supposed to do—like get on a plane and accept a bribe from your boyfriend’s mother—those things don’t make sense anymore. The only thing that makes sense is staying together.”
