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Vivian extended a manicured hand to Becky. “And you are …”
Becky smiled politely, shaking her hand. “I’m Becky.”
“Nice to meet you.” She paused, examining Becky with a look of disdain from her blonde hair pulled high into a ponytail to her long-sleeved gray crew shirt, to her jeans, to her gym shoes. “So, you must be Charles’s …”
“Nanny,” Becky said, her tone defensive and sharp. “I’m the girls’ new nanny.”
“Oh.” Vivian nodded, her arms lightly crossed against her chest. She pointed to me first and then to Becky. “So, you two are …”
I gripped Vivian’s elbow and pulled her farther down the aisle, momentarily leaving Becky and Mary. This was so out of Vivian’s character—catty, jealous. It wasn’t in her.
“What’s going on here, Viv?” I kept my voice discreet.
She swallowed and reeled back. “No, Charles.” She pushed a finger into my chest, getting into my face. “Do not put this on me. I know what this is and have never pretended it to be anything more. You are not one to bullshit me. Until now.”
I blinked. “Bullshit?”
“Is this how we’re going to end? No phone call? No conversation? Ghosted like we’re in high school?” She tsked. “I thought you were better than that. I can handle the truth.” She placed one heavy hand on her chest. “Of all women, you know I can handle the truth very damn well. All I need is a little respect and straight-up honesty.”
I exhaled a heavy sigh. She was right. I wanted to tell her I had been preoccupied with other things—Patty leaving, Becky settling in. I had meant to call her back. I wasn’t afraid of confrontation. In my line of business, confrontation happened daily. I’d hurt her when that was the last thing I’d wanted to do.
She shook her head condescendingly. “I wasn’t important enough to call. That’s what it comes down to.”
“Vivian …”
When I gripped her wrist, her eyes narrowed, and she shrugged me off.
“I know we’re just fuck buddies.” Her tone was low and menacing. “But the least you could have done was called me to tell me that you were now fucking the nanny instead.” She spat out the words, hard and low, as though she wanted them to hit me.
My eyes narrowed. “I’m not—”
“Shut up, Charles. If you’re not now, you will be soon. I see the way you look at her. I’m not stupid.” She straightened and adjusted her suit jacket. After pushing her hair back, she composed herself, stone-faced but pleasant, as though seconds ago hadn’t just happened. “Have a nice life, Charles.”
“Vivian, I’m sorry. I never meant—”
“Shut up, Charles. It’s a little too late for any of that.”
I blew out a breath and ran both hands through my hair, watching her walk away.
That had needed to end a long time ago. I had known it’d eventually end, but I hadn’t expected it to end this badly.
Chapter 16
Becky
After the grocery store, we drove home in silence. The only sounds in the car were of Mary singing “Old MacDonald”and her happily chomping on her cookies like the cookie-monster champ she was.
I hadn’t asked Charles about Vivian. I had no right to his past or his current life that had to do with anything other than the kids. What he did with whoever he did it with was not my concern.
But, boy, had my heart sunk when I saw her. She was beautiful with her Pantene-slick, dark hair, her olive skin, and tall, slim figure that only belonged to models. And when Charles leaned into her and placed his hand on her wrist, I couldn’t take any more. I’d about-faced and walked Mary toward the other aisle to get cookies. I didn’t know why I had assumed Charles was single.
Maybe it was because, for the past few weeks, when he wasn’t at work, he was home with the girls.
He didn’t have people calling him other than his secretary and his brothers.
For the most part, his life was chill, laid-back, and routine.
But I should have known better. He was a good-looking man, who exhibited strength and a force like a god. Above that, he had a kind heart. Every sane, single woman in the vicinity was probably calling on him, and I didn’t even know it.
