Rowan belly laughed. She couldn’t help it. Remembering Angela’s face when she’d explained the situation had been priceless. “I’m still pissed I didn’t video your reaction to send to my sisters and Jo. Speaking of Jo, Josephine O’Connor, she can’t wait to check out your store when she and her mom get back from Zürich. They plan on coming in.”
Angela started fanning her face. “Lord, Rowan, do you have any idea how many important people you’re connected to in this town?”
“Well, if Jo makes you fan your face, I wonder if I should tell you who else will be stopping by.”
“Seriously, how did I get so lucky to meet you? Honestly. Stantons, O’Connors, O’Faolains…Okay, I’m chill, tell me.”
“Did I ever tell you who Matilda’s best friend is and who I eat dinner with once or twice a week?”
“You have not.”
“Diana Gaines.”
Angela fell sideways on the plush couch in the Sprinter. “Shockwaves just blew me down. I…I can’t even…I’m?—”
Rowan cut off her stumbling. “My suggestion. If you see Diana walk through your doors, take her coffee order, and let her drink on the floor. She may or may not acknowledge you. Don’t be offended. I redecorated her condo a few years ago, and it was an excruciating lesson in humility. She is honest but fair.
“I believe in your taste, your store, and your business acumen. You will be successful, Angela. I truly believe that.”
Angela gave Rowan a hug. “You have made me believe in myself and that’s worth more than any future success,” she confessed, sniffing back tears.
Their mad ten hours of shopping had been a success, and Rowan felt she’d helped create a boutique that would have Tulsa, and hopefully much further afield, talking.
After a quick goodbye at the hotel, Rowan flew through the lobby and up the elevator to Matilda’s. Dropped her bag and changed into a gorgeous butter-yellow wrap dress. It hugged her breasts perfectly, no bra needed. She brushed her hair until it fell in a thick wave down her back, dotted her nude rose perfume behind her ears and, at the last minute, slipped her panties off.
If this was going to be her and Hugh’s first day of forever, she felt like paying homage to the first day she’d met him. She slipped nude flats with delicate muted gold straps on her feet and sprinted back down to the lobby to catch her Uber.
One minute from her destination, Wolves Irish Pub & Eatery, she received a text from Matilda.
Do not come to Wolves, sweetheart. That devil Helen is here and sitting with us now. Saying meanthings to Hugh. He wouldn’t want you to be anywhere near her. I’m sorry. I’ll text when we finish here.
Oh, hell to the no, was that evil woman spewing anymore of her trashy venom. Not toward Hugh. She entered Wolves and ordered a shot of Slane and tall water to be delivered to Mr. O’Faolain’s table before zeroing in on where they were sitting. The memorial area, of course.
It was a three-chair table. Better and better. “Hugh! I’m so happy you haven’t eaten yet. I got back earlier than expected. I can join you and Tilly for lunch.” Hugh looked miserable, and Matilda looked close to tears.
Purposefully, Rowan positioned herself between that…that…no, Rowan wouldn’t even utter the ‘c’ word in her head, but she wanted to, and Hugh. Smiling at a stunned Matilda before bending to kiss Hugh, she finally turned to the unwelcome interloper for introductions.
“Oh my,” Rowan’s slight Irish accent was much more pronounced, thickening along with her anger, “you must be Helen. Your lovely hair gives you away.” Before the woman could preen at the compliment, Rowan added, “I imagine you have to pay your colorist a mint to keep it that shade these days, right?” Smiling as if she’d just delivered a compliment, Rowan continued with, “I had no idea you would be able to join us today. I’m so thankful my business trip ended early.”
A waitress brought over Rowan’s drinks, and she thanked her as they were set on the table next to Hugh’s. “Oh no, Helen, don’t get up on my account,” Rowan waved her back as if the woman were standing to give up her chair, which she absolutely hadn’t been, and sat in Hugh’s lap instead. “Hugh’s lap is my favorite seat in the world.” Hugh automatically adjusted her, his long fingers wrapping around her waist. Helen was turning a very unbecoming shade of beet.
She kept up the one-sided commentary, as it seemed Hugh and his mother were still speechless at Rowan’s obnoxious behavior. Snuggling her behind more comfortably against Hugh, which caused his fingers to flex deliciously, she continued to drop the hammer on the White Witch.
“It’s good that you sit whenever the opportunity presents itself. My grandma told me what a nightmare swelling becomes as women get older. Yikes, not looking forward to that. Of course, that’s literally decades away for me, thank God.” Annnnnd…that was all she wrote. Helen stood so quickly that her chair threatened to tip over.
“Glad we got to catch up. I must get back to my table.” Helen was stiff and clearly beaten, but that wasn’t good enough for a woman so rotten.
Rowan stood, adjusting her skirt before stepping toward the older woman. She leaned close so no nearby tables could overhear. “You had Hugh and two amazing sons, and you threw them away. You disgust me. Do not ever approach Hugh again. He is mine, and you won’t like the consequences if you do it again. I will make sure to ruin you so publicly that you will never be able to show your face outside again without being shamed for your behavior.
“You aren’t going to join your friends. You are going to leave and never step foot in this establishment again. Have I made myself perfectly clear?”
Helen was breathing like a freight train. Her shaking hands gripped her Berkin against her diaphragm. “Perfectly.”
Rowan stayed standing a beat longer, making sure Helen made her way to the exit. She did. She turned to Hugh, who still looked shell-shocked. She took one of his hands into her own. “Do you care what Helen thinks of you or what I think?”
Hugh blinked several times, clearly coming out of his stasis. He moved their hands to his lips and kissed her fingers. “Only you.”
“Then let’s enjoy our lunch. Your mom knew I was going to get here early so I could surprise you. Surprise,” Rowan added, grinning as she moved Helen’s abandoned chair next to Hugh’s before she sat down.
