Page 10 of Married to Lies

“But you’re in a position to do something about it. You don’t need a search warrant to gather information. They trust your work—Quentin sings your praises specifically whenever we have a meeting.”

The little flutter of excitement I felt at that news was almost embarrassing. “He does?”

“Don’t look so surprised,” Conrad said, annoyed. “We both know you’re good at your job. At least the cleaning part.”

History weighed heavy between us, and for the millionth time, I wished I could be in charge, that returning to my role as CEO wouldn’t ruin my business completely.

“I’m going to need you to look a little harder,” Conrad said gruffly. His eyes held mine for only a fraction of a second before he looked down at his desk again, swiping his mouse to bring his computer back to life. It was a dismissal, and that made my hackles rise all the more.

“I think you’re forgetting that I’m the boss here,” I told him, my tone holding even.

He looked back at me with sadness in his eyes. “And you’re forgetting that I’m a friend.”

Guilt worked through me. He was right. I’d known him far longer than I’d known the people at MyHome. Even if his hunch was a wild hare, I could still continue humoring him. At least until he gave up on this idea of fraud happening in the company. If there was nothing to find, it couldn’t hurt anyway, right?

I let out a heavy, dramatic sigh. “What would you like me to do now, Nancy Drew?”

A smile lit his handsome face. “Look through their papers. Quentin’s first and then the other founders’.”

At my stunned expression, he added, “Just the ones that have been thrown away. If you find anything on Prodian, put it in a differently colored trash bag so it’s easy to find. Once it’s thrown out, we can legally search it.”

“There’s a difference between legal and moral,” I reminded him. I shouldn’t have had to.

“You watched all those PSAs in school,” he said. “Being a bystander is as bad as committing the crime,” he countered.

I sighed. “Once I look through the trash, you promise you’ll back off of Quentin?”

He put his hand over his chest. “I promise.”

4 Quentin

Three days ago

For several days after our text exchange, I ruminated on the perfect way to introduce myself to Rei. I finally settled on doing it at Bryce and Jada’s wedding tonight. Rei would be there as Jada’s maid of honor, and I’d be in attendance as Bryce’s friend.

A dance was scheduled to follow the ceremony. It would be the perfect time to approach her table and present her with a sticky note that said Will you dance with me? I could already picture the look on her face, hopefully one of pleasant surprise when she learned I wasn’t, in fact, a stalker. At least not a dangerous one.

While we danced, I’d answer all of her questions—there were sure to be dozens, coming at me as quickly as rapid-fire text messages.

Although I should have been focusing on my friend’s wedding, my mind kept drifting to after, when I could finally place my hands on Rei’s curvy waist, feel her chest press against mine as we swayed on the dance floor and had our first real conversation.

Guitar music played as Bryce walked down the aisle, his dad and stepmom on either side of him. His silver-haired father looked like he’d be more comfortable in cowboy boots, but his stepmom beamed beside him. She was stunning, with her long salt-and-pepper hair in loose curls. The light caught each silver strand along with the sequins on her glittering navy-blue dress.

Soon, my own mom would be in her place, and I would be in Bryce’s. Heaters lined the aisle to keep us all warm despite the December chill, yet I wrapped my coat tighter around me.

I’d taken for granted that my friends and I would be single for the foreseeable future. Simon, the old man sitting in the row in front of me, had changed all that with his conditions of inheritance.

Cruz sat on my right and Aaric on my left. Jude had said he was sick, though something felt off to me about that. He and Bryce had been best friends for as long as I’d known them. Jude would never miss Bryce’s wedding unless he was on his deathbed.

Bryce and his parents reached the end of the aisle. He gave them both a hug, and then he stood proudly on the slightly elevated platform, grinning like this was the happiest day of his life. Like we weren’t all being forced into a contractual, lifelong agreement that could make him broke or miserable, maybe both.

“This is crazy,” I whispered.

Aaric looked surprised that I’d spoken, blond eyebrows raising on his forehead. Cruz nodded in agreement though. “Batshit crazy,” he echoed.

Aaric tilted his head, murmuring, “He seems happy enough, no?”

He did, if I was being honest, but I only grunted.