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Marlene’s green eyes filled with tears and I couldn’t help it – a small flame of pity flared inside my chest.
“Because,” Marlene said stiffly. “I was so worried about my son. But he’s in a stable place now. I know that at least some of that is because of you, and your effect on Thomas.”
I frowned.
“You’re a good teacher, June,” Marlene said. “I’m sorry I said those things.” She straightened up.
“Don’t trust this bitch,” Angela whispered in my ear. “She might be gunning for you!”
“Hold on,” I said to Angela. To Marlene, I jerked my head to the side. She followed me through the store until we were in a quiet area, across from the bathrooms.
“Look, I hate the way you acted,” I said. “I’m not going to lie – it was really cruel on your behalf. But Thomas and I are serious,” I added, carefully watching Marlene’s face. “And we’re going to stay serious.”
Marlene swallowed. “I know.” She bit her lip. “Look, the thing is – Hannah was feeding me information the whole time. She was trying to make me believe that you were some kind of gold-digging bitch, out to score Thomas for your own good.”
“No, god, no,” I said quickly.
“I know that now,” Marlene replied. “And I’m sorry that I believed Hannah. But I thought I could trust her – she worked for Thomas for so long, and she never seemed anything but perfectly innocent.”
I nodded stiffly.
“I had no idea she was so evil,” Marlene finished. “Mostly, I’m ashamed that I acted the way I did. It really wasn’t fair to you.”
“You and I are going to have to deal with each other sometimes,” I said softly. “Especially because of Brett.”
“I know.”
“So, I really hope this is a new beginning,” I said. “I know that we’re obviously not going to become friends or anything, but I really hope that we can at least be cordial.”
Marlene’s cheeks pinked. I stood up straight and tall, unable to believe that I’d humbled a woman more than twice my age.
“I hope so, too,” Marlene said. She gave me a small smile. “I’ll let you go, June. I think it’s for the best.”
I nodded. “Marlene?”
She turned around. “Yeah?”
“Thanks for being honest,” I said softly. “I really appreciate it.”
Marlene smiled, looking more relaxed this time. “You’re welcome,” she said. “And again, I really am sorry.”
I watched as Marlene scurried out of the store, no longer the proud and haughty ex-wife. It was strange, but I felt like something actually had changed between us – like somehow, we’d managed to come out on the other side.
By the time I got back to Angela, it was getting late.
“Are you coming home tonight?” Angela raised her eyebrow. “Or are you going to see sexy Mr. March?”
I flushed hotly. “God, I can’t believe how much I called him that,” I said. “But…yeah, I was thinking of going to see Thomas. You don’t mind?”
Angela shook her head. “Not at all,” she said.
I took a cab to Thomas’s penthouse in Manhattan and nervously rode the elevator up by myself, clutching my bags. It was so strange to think that in a very short amount of time, this would be my home, too.
When he opened the door, Thomas grinned at the sight of me. He pulled me into a tight hug and kissed me. I stepped into the foyer and dropped my bags. Thomas looked at me with obvious lust in his dark eyes.
“Brett’s not home,” Thomas said. “He’s out with Isabelle.” He grinned wickedly. “They won’t be home for hours.”
I blushed and stepped forward. “Good,” I said softly. “Because I was really hoping to be alone with you.”
