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Chapter 22
Marley sat in Kelly’s office the following Wednesday afternoon, waiting for her to say something about the events over the weekend. She’d taken several days to be with her mom, but Kelly had called her last night, telling her they needed to talk. She knew she was fired; even if Kelly could forgive her for lashing out at a client and outing her for cheating, she couldn’t ignore what Marley had told her about Luke. That they had carried on an affair despite Marley’s assurance that she would pull the plug.
Marley had tried to push Luke from her mind the last two days, especially that last look in his eyes. Anguish. He didn’t even have to tell her, although he had. In a long, articulate speech that had chipped away at all the blame she had toward him. She’d been the asshole.
She didn’t deserve him.
Kelly sat behind the desk, steepling her hands and watching Marley with a combined mix of disappointment and pensiveness. The company’s lawyer, Christian Ryan, stood next to her in a gray suit and light blue tie, perfectly matching the icy blue of his eyes. His hair was blond and spikey, and every time she was around him, she wanted to call him Ken because he reminded her so much of Barbie’s boyfriend.
Marley knew he was more than a pretty face though. Christian was ruthless when it came to business, and Marley knew it was bad if Kelly had needed to call Christian.
Finally, Kelly sat forward and started talking. “Well, the good news is that the Stadarskis are willing to not sue Something Borrowed for violating the confidentiality clause in the contract—”
“There was no violation. Sonora had fired me thirty minutes before,” Marley broke in.
“According to you, but since there were no witnesses and Sonora denies firing you, they would have grounds.” When Marley opened her mouth to say more, Kelly held up her hand. “Like I said, it is a moot point considering the current circumstances. Instead, they are offering to pay a generous settlement to your mother.”
It was just like that family to use money to solve their problems.
“In exchange for what?” Marley growled.
Kelly’s expression turned grim. “The D.A. has offered Sonora a very generous deal. Sonora agreed to plead guilty to arson. The Stadarskis want to make sure you won’t contest it.”
Marley scoffed, knotting her hands in her lap. “What does she get? Probation?”
“And her license revoked.”
Marley slammed her hand down on the desk, fury roasting in her belly. “Forget that. That psycho almost killed my mother. She should rot in prison.”
“She told the D.A. she was drunk and high. She didn’t even fully understand what she was doing and she didn’t know your mother was inside,” Christian said.
His calm, matter of fact tone exasperated her anger. “So, she gets a pass? Because, what, she bribed someone? This is bullshit.”
Kelly sat forward, her eyes blazing. “I agree. I hate this and I hate that woman almost as much as you do. Her sister came to see me Monday, told me everything you took while working for her and I need you to know that had I known, I would have never accepted her as a client.”
Marley wanted to believe her, but money had a way of shifting priorities. As much as she loved Kelly, she wasn’t so sure her friend was above it all.
Marley shook her head. “I will give her parents every penny of my commission back, plus interest, but I want her punished. She is a monster, and will never change if she doesn’t pay for the full extent of her crimes.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not up to us, and since I work for Kelly, I must advise her as to what is in the best interests of Something Borrowed.” Christian came around the desk with papers in his hand and set it before her. “This is a contract that states you will accept the settlement and agree to not contest Sonora’s plea deal nor speak about what she did to any press or media outlet. It also includes a clause that Sonora cannot come back to Sweetheart, or contact you in anyway and vice versa.”
“Oh, I will accept it, huh?” Marley stood up, ready to walk. “You represent Kelly, not me, and I don’t have to accept this.”
“You’re right, you don’t,” Kelly said. “But Sonora going to prison is not going to help your mother rebuild her café or get you to New York. You need to move past your anger and find that level-headed woman I’ve come to respect these last seven years.”
Kelly’s words struck a nerve and she sat down, weighing the truth to it. “What happens if I do contact her or tell the world what she did?”
“You’ll be in breach of contract and you will have to return the settlement, plus damages.”
Marley looked at Kelly, and even though she saw the regret in her eyes, she didn’t care. “You’re really okay with this? With letting her skate on everything?”
Kelly spread her hands out, as if to signify she had no other choice. “This is my livelihood, Marley. I have to do what is best for Something Borrowed’s future.”
Marley almost snorted, but held it in. “Give me the pen.”
Christian pulled one from his pocket and held it out to her. She signed the paper, stabbing at it with the pen, as if that would somehow make all of this better.
It didn’t, but she had a feeling nothing really would.
