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Hillary’s overdrawn eyebrows shoot to her forehead like elevated apostrophes, her dark brown eyes widening like saucers. For a few beats, she just stares at me in shock. It doesn’t look like she’s breathing. I swear, she’s turned into a living statue.
“You have no ground to stand on,” I keep talking. “We’re selling the house. And, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, my time isn’t up yet. You’ll get your money. Now, if you’re done wasting my fucking time, I’d like to get back to work.”
She considers me for a long stretch, her eyes sliding up and down my body, as if it’s the first time she really sees me.
That’s right, bitch, take a look at the new me.
She pulls the strap of her obscenely expensive designer bag––a gift from the duke, I’m sure. “Well… I thought we could have a civilized conversation, but I was wrong.”
“Clearly,” I deadpan.
“This was simply a courtesy reminder, Jules.”
“We both know you’re lying,” I bite back. “You came here to rub my face in it.”
A second ticks by.
Then another.
And another.
We’re staring at each other like two bulls in a ring.
“I’m starting an exciting, new chapter of my life, Jules.” Her eyes scan the room before landing on me. “You’re stuck here.”
I cross my arms over my chest, mirroring her defensive stance. “I’m okay with that.”
“Good luck with your pathetic life,” she throws at me.
“Let’s see how long it takes before the duke gets tired of you and your whiny, ungrateful daughters,” I retort.
Her lips pinch.
Touché.
She drops the set of keys to the office on the table. “I won’t need these anymore.”
“That’s one thing we can agree on,” I volley.
With that, she turns on her heel, exiting the conference room in a puff of sickly-green rage.
My exasperated sigh chases after her as she barrels down the hallway before storming out of the building, one angry footstep after the other.
The door slams shut, leaving me alone.
Buh-bye, bitch.
Hillary expected her sudden––and spiteful––life-altering decision to sink me. It only made me stronger. I, Jules Salinger, am a survivor, and I’m no longer alone. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel defeated.
Chapter 26
Levi
We were supposed to have dinner first. After all, I dropped by Zia Josefina’s on the way back from LAX and selected Jules’s favorites. Those plans went up in smoke the second I opened the door and laid eyes on her. She looked like a fucking vision in her white maxi dress. I couldn’t resist. My desire for her overtook any logical thought. I all but dragged her by the hair to my bedroom to fuck her senseless. After two steamy rounds, we stuffed our faces silly with succulent Italian food. Now, we’re chilling in the backyard, contemplating the beautiful night. We’re both on the outdoor couch located under the gazebo. It’s made of a wooden frame, a steel slope roof and tempered glass. It’s a bit of an extravagance, but I couldn’t resist. The success of our company has allowed me the luxury of buying a house on McKinley Avenue in Venice—an upscale and coveted Los Angeles neighborhood. My brother doesn’t live too far. It’s a far cry from the modest home Linc and I grew up in. Dad worked his whole life as a contractor for hire electrician in the music industry. After years of being a stay-at-home mom, my mother went back to work as a part-time nurse.
I’m proud of this house, but I’m mostly proud of the backyard, which I had designed as my little getaway. In our business, the hours can be punishing. The expansive pool, lush greenery, pit fire and full outdoor entertainment area make up for it.
I’m lounging in nothing but a pair of shorts. I didn’t bother with a t-shirt. Jules’s sexy body is adorned in nothing but the black shirt I was wearing when she arrived at my place. Her pretty white dress was a liability around tomato sauce. Her head is rested on my lap as I caress her long blonde hair, both of us admiring a dark sky dotted with twinkling stars.
