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“Even so…”
“Joel. I know you’re still my boss, but I’m also an independent person,” she says. “Trust my judgment on this. I’m not about to sit out here while my friend is dealing with the maniacs that are her family. I’m coming in.”
Joel watches me for a moment. Then he leans over and kisses me. He pulls back before I can respond, and I stare at him.
“What was that for?”
“Because I wanted to,” Joel opens the door. “Let’s go inside. The sooner we do this, the quicker we can get those two to go away.”
I get out and join Joel on the sidewalk. He takes my hand and gives it a squeeze before dropping it. Then I follow him up to the front door. Natalie opens the door before we get there, her relief palpable when she sees her father. Her eyes widen when she sees me.
“Megan? What are you doing here?”
“Giving you a hand,” I hug Natalie. “You help me so much and I can’t do the same back.”
“Well, I’m not sure, seeing how upset Anna and Mom are,” Natalie regards me carefully. “Are you sure about this?”
“Don’t ask her that, Nat,” Joel steps into the house. “You’re not going to like the answer.”
I’m about to protest, but I then hear a shriek from the kitchen. Anna is standing in the doorway, staring at me like she’s just scraped me off the bottom of her shoe.
“What the hell isshedoing here?” she demands. “She’s not family!”
“Tough.” Joel leads the way into the kitchen, Natalie hurrying after him after she closes the door while I follow her. “Now, what is going on with you two? Why are you pestering Natalie and trying to find me?”
“Because you need to do something about this, Dad!”
“About what?”
I hover in the doorway and survey the scene. Caitlin is sitting at the center counter with a steaming mug in her hands while Anna is pacing around. She gives me a cool glare.
“Do you really need yourpersonal assistantto come around with you, Joel?” she asks. “She shouldn’t be here.”
“I’ll explain that in a moment,” Joel folds his arms. “Now, one of you tell me what’s going on and at a normal tone. I’m not going to listen if you scream.”
Anna takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “It’s Eric. He’s run off with Ashley.”
Considering what I saw last night, I shouldn’t be surprised, but it still shocks me. Natalie gives me a look that says she has been dealing with this madness for a while, and Joel lifts an eyebrow.
“So, he ran away with the woman he was having sex with during the reception.”
“He said that Ashley’s younger and prettier, and her dad is even wealthier than you! That now he doesn’t have a job and there is no hope of furthering himself with our money, he doesn’t want me anymore!” Anna is close to wailing now. “I mean why he would get married to me if he was screwing someone else! Why would he do that?”
“Sometimes, we won’t understand a person’s motivations,” Joel replies.
Caitlin snorts. “Well, whatever his motivations, the final bill hasn’t been paid. Eric’s run away, and Anna’s stuck with paying the whole thing. You need to help your daughter, Joel.”
“Oh, do I?” He’s incredulous.
“Yes, you do! You’re the father. You should be paying this bill!”
Joel turns to Anna, who is nodding along with her mother. I had suspected that money was involved, and I’m not surprised.
“I thought we agreed that I wouldn’t help you pay for anything due to your actions, Anna,” Joel reminds his daughter. “I wouldn’t be helping you out financially.”
Anna’s mouth dropped open. “Really, Dad? But I’m your daughter! Why wouldn’t you help me?”
“Wait a minute,” Joel holds up a hand. “Did you seriously think I would help pay for the wedding after I told you when you told me about your engagement that I wouldn’t be paying for anything.”
