Page 14 of Married to Lies

Rei: We’re leaving now. Want me to set a sandwich or a snack out for you?

“I’m going to use the restroom before we go,” Glamma announced, and I nodded, going to the bar-height kitchen island to wait. I watched my phone for a text, but then an incoming call came from Jada.

“Hey, you,” I said warmly. “Want me to make something other than a sandwich?”

There was no joy in her voice as she said, “Rei, Bryce’s biggest investor has been poisoned.”

My jaw dropped. “Simon? Is he d-dead?” I stumbled over the words. Just several days ago, I’d seen him at the wedding, all spiffed up in a designer suit. This was the second attack on him in as many weeks, and I knew it would only add fuel to Conrad’s fire. Maybe Conrad was right to be concerned.

“He’s alive and in the hospital,” Jada said. “They don’t have much information now, but Bryce needs to be there. Simon’s family is... dysfunctional.”

I’d heard all about his family—several of my favorite gossip columns covered the messy dynamic after the attack at the gala. “Glamma and I can stay here with you,” I offered, knowing she hadn’t planned to be alone right now. This was supposed to be her time with Bryce and Twyla, to bond as a family. And now this had come up.

“Thank you,” she said gratefully. “It’s hard to believe they sent me home with her. No manual, no nothing. Just a tiny little baby.”

I chuckled and wryly muttered, “I’m sure your grandma will have some ideas. She’s full of them today.”

“I heard that!” Glamma called from the hall bathroom.

“Good!” I called back.

Jada gave a weak chuckle on the other end of the line. “I’ll be there soon... Hopefully Simon will be okay.”

“I hope so too,” I said. Even if I didn’t know him, I felt bad for him and everyone who cared for him.

As soon as Jada and I hung up, I filled Glamma in on the situation. She closed her eyes and murmured a quick prayer, then went into the kitchen. “I’m making Jada some hot chocolate. Good for the soul.”

“Do you think you’ll have extra?” I asked. “For a friend, you know.”

Glamma gave me a sly look. “If you wanted some, you could say that.”

“It’s me. I’m the friend,” I said in defeat.

She grinned. “I like you.”

“Back at you,” I replied.

The smell of hot chocolate on the stove had filled the air when the side door to the kitchen opened. Jada came in first, along with a gust of cold air, then Bryce followed, cheeks pink, as he gripped the handle to the baby carrier. Twyla lay there with her eyes closed, a little blanket tucked around her.

I’d seen Twyla at the hospital, but it surprised me all over again just how small she was. Even though I was several feet away, I was worried I’d break her just by looking at her.

“Welcome home,” Glamma said, going to hug Jada.

Bryce and I exchanged small smiles while they shared a moment, but there was a tightness around his eyes etched from the weight of his worry.

When Glamma went back to the stove, Jada turned around to hug her husband. He quietly said, “I don’t have to go.”

I turned, not wanting to intrude on a private moment, but I could still hear them.

“You need to be there,” Jada said. “We’ll be here when you’re done.”

“I feel bad leaving you alone,” he murmured. Although the words were meant for Jada, Glamma said, “What are Rei and I? Chopped liver?”

Giving up the act of privacy, I turned back toward them, seeing Bryce smile over at Glamma. He still held Jada to his side while the baby carrier rested on the ground by his feet. “The most stylish chopped liver there is,” he replied.

Glamma huffed while I held back a snicker.

Bryce gave Jada a long kiss and then left the house with a sad, wistful look at his girls. I’m sure they were a much better sight than what he was about to encounter.