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“It’s my house!” she says before sticking out her tongue. “So, anyway, that bitch Gabby—” I groan and slap my hand to my forehead and settle back in. I trust Josie... Sort of. She wouldn’t do anything to deliberately hurt me.
“So, that bitch Gabby?” I sigh and Josie’s face lights up. That sly little minx. She knows talking shit about Gabby is one of the few things that can distract me from the little game of telephone that just went down.
“Well, Daddy Green has had to step in on several occasions to save her ass. Nothing catastrophic.Yet,” she says with an evil gleam in her eye, “but justice is coming, baby, and it’s gonna be swift.”
I know I shouldn’t take such sick pleasure in the destruction of another human being, but whether it’s the wine or the carbs, I’m feeling rather blissful about it. I don’t wish ill on just anyone. You have to really fuck me over to warrant my hatred.
Gabby is one of the few who’s accomplished that feat. Gabby and my ex-husband... And the fucking weasel.
“Go on…” I goad Josie and she wiggles closer to me.
“So, remember that big editorial you had lined up? The one the board members were gaga about and was meant to shake up the next issue?”
“Yes,” I say bitterly and Josie winces.
“Sorry. But, anyway, clearly Gabby can’t deliver anything close to what you’d cooked up and now the board is wondering why. Gabby swore she had plans for it, better than yours, by the way, and she’s got bubkis!”
Not that I’m not delighted to hear this, but during her speech, I’ve noticed the corner of her phone starting to slide out from under her butt. As she claps her hands in glee, I dart forward and snatch the phone from underneath her.
Josie shrieks and tries to grab it back, but I fling myself up from the couch, standing and giggling like an idiot while trying not to spill my food.
“Thief! Robber!” Josie wails and lunges for me. I shriek and fall back into the couch before she wrestles it out of my hands. “Damn Natalie!” Josie grins and pockets her phone. “You’ve got it bad, huh?”
“I don’t have it bad! It’s just that I’m in the middle of a tabloid nightmare, so excuse me if I’m concerned about what is being said orhowit’s being said —”
“Would I ever steer you wrong?” Josie asks, her hands planted firmly on her hips. I hang my head.
“No,” I agree. “Except Boca.”
Josie winces.
“Yeah, Boca, but never again!” She reminds me with a waggle of her finger. “Look, this guy seems sweet. And, from what he said about you — no, I’m not gonna tell youwhat,that’s his story to tell — I think he likes you, too.”
I sigh and Josie settles into the couch next to me, slinging her arm around my neck. “I mean, come on, when was the last time you had it so good?” I snort. “Let me rephrase. When was the last time you could’ve had it so good?”
She’s got me there.
Is it sacrificing my independence to ask for help? I mean, I asked Josie for help without thinking twice. I just don’t want to be weak in front of him.Fragile. Emotional.
Those words are burned into my heart. A delightful remnant from Blake. As if my having needs or emotions was reason for him seek other women. Still, I can’t seem to drop that baggage. I just keep lugging it around with me.
“You’re right, Josie. I know you love to hear it,” I smirk, and she squeezes me tight. “You’re right.”
“I know,” she sighs contentedly. “So, tell me. Does he have a brother?” We laugh and I shake my head.
“Worth an ask,” she mutters.
“Just tell me one thing. Did you tell him I was… I don’t know… whiny or desperate for him?”
Josie snorts and slaps me lightly up the back of my head. “Who the hell do you think I am?” she guffaws. “Listen, you need to have some wine and relax, bubby.”
I take a pointed sip of my wine and stare at her. “Boy, you really hate surprises, don’t you? Well you won’t have to wait long, it’s already been about 15 minutes.”
“Surprise?” I ask when my phone lights up. At first, I think it’s a message from Roger and I snatch it out of sight from Josie. But it’s not, it’s a phone call from an unknown number.
“Pick it up!” Josie yells and I almost drop my phone.
“But, it’s unknown!” I yell back, clutching my heart.
“Pick it up, you dummy!” Josie tosses a pillow at me and I smash my screen angrily.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Ms. Ashcroft?” I narrow my eyes at Josie who claps like a little kid. I answer that, yes, it’s me and ask them who’s speaking.
“Ah, your car service is waiting for you downstairs, Ms. Ashcroft, courtesy of Mr. Zane. We’ll have a man in the lobby escort you.”
