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This was my problem.
And I’d deal with it.
“That’s very kind of you. Everything’s fine, though.” I slipped my hand out of hers and hoped she’d give up.
“Jillian,” she sat back again, “you still have my number, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. You use it any time you want. For anything. I will answer.”
Gosh.
Her kindness was making my eyes burn. I could not start crying here at the table. Or she’d know for sure that something was up. “Thanks, I will.”
Heather took a deep breath and pulled the white napkin off her plate. She arranged it on her lap and said, “Okay, then let’s talk business instead. I want to hear what you have in mind for your social media channel this quarter.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
And then I told her exactly what I had planned for the next quarter.
And she listened.
Then she gave me a few ideas.
And I listened and typed them into my phone so I wouldn’t forget.
Because Heather’s advice was priceless.
And I needed all the help I could get.
After that, we ate a lovely lunch and talked about hockey.
Which was by far our favorite topic of all.
14
Cash
“Fuck, is it just me,” Isaac leaned forward and rubbed the back of his neck, “or is that guy the biggest fuckin’ douche canoe you’ve ever met?”
Beau, Trey, and a few of the other guys sitting with us started laughing.
I didn’t, though.
Nope.
Because even though Isaac was right, Jillian had still chosen Stuart over me.
“Actually, you just insulted all the douche canoes in the world. Because that guy,” Trey jerked his head in Stuart’s direction, “takes douche canoe to a whole other level.” Everyone around us agreed, while Trey continued. “This morning, after I walked Hayley, I sat here by the pool. Stuart walked out of Jillian’s and joined me. Then he continued to tell me how much money his family was worth. Swear to God,” Trey glared over at the offender, “he practically itemized everything his daddy owned. Like, is that supposed to impress me or something? Being handed shit from your father? And bragging about it?”
Beau shook his head and sighed. “He did the same thing to me an hour ago. I had to take the dogs out and he followed along. Didn’t shut up the entire time about how rich his family is. I think he’s hoping the show will take one of the clips and play it in the next episode.”
I sat back and looked over at Stuart. He was talking to Lexi—or more like, he was talking at her. She had on a flat, fake smile that didn’t quite hit her eyes. You could tell she wanted to be absolutely anywhere except standing around listening to Stuart.
Trey shut his eyes and groaned, “Damn it, I have to go save my wife. And somehow not let that douche canoe trap me into a conversation.” He stood and made his way over to Lexi—who was more than happy to be rescued.
Isaac looked at me and shook his head. “I will never understand why she’d choose him over you, man. That just defies all logic.”
