AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And the sex?”
“Nothing spectacular. I didn’t know any different at the time. He was the only man I had been with.”
Giselle seems to agree. “I knew Gary. Trust me, he wasn’t giving her great sex.”
Cassandra takes a slow sip of her drink. “Have I ever told you about my second husband, Roman?”
I shake my head. “No.” I know she was married three times before Trevor. I know the first was a drunken night gone wrong and was over before it started. I know the third was a pregnancy scare that was also over before it started. Her second marriage was to a man named Roman and it lasted a few years. I know nothing beyond that.
“Like Gary, he resented my success. It got ugly. It got physical.”
I grab her hand. “Oh Cassandra, I didn’t know that. I’m so sorry.”
She brushes it off. “I’m fine. He also cleared out all my bank accounts. I lived with Darian, Scott, and the girls for months until I got my finances sorted out and back on track. Thank god I had them.”
“You could have come to us. We would have welcomed you.”
“Honestly, I never even considered it. Scott immediately insisted I move in and that’s what I did.”
“He sounds like a good guy.”
“He was the best man I ever met. Everyone should be so lucky to have a Scott Lawrence in their life.”
I smile. “Darian hit the jackpot twice, didn’t she?”
She nods. “She did. Scott and Jackson both are among the most incredible men I’ve ever been around. They both love her so wholly. I never thought I’d have it. It took me fifty years, but I do. I have it.”
I smile. “I know you do. Trevor is wonderful. I love the way he loves you.”
“I still find it hard to believe at times. I had given up. I thought I was happy sleeping around but waking up alone in an empty bed. I wasn’t. Don’t wait fifty years like I did, Beth. If there’s something or someone you want, go for it. Don’t be shy. Take what you want. Do what feels good. Be aggressive, relentless Beth. We know she’s in there.”
I nod. “You’re right. I never thought about it this way, but you’re right.”
She gives me her mischievous smile. “He’s been messing with you for weeks with the hot and cold nonsense. It’s time to turn the tables on him. Isn’t that what you’d do at work?”
Giselle grins at Cassandra. “You’re a fucking genius.”
Cassandra lets out an over-exaggerated laugh. “I prefer evil fucking genius.”
I think for a moment. I’m sick of playing by his rules in his court. If this was work, I’d change courts and make him play bymyrules.
An idea occurs to me. “Will you go shopping with me during lunch tomorrow?”
Her face lights up. “Tell me what you have in mind, temptress.”
I smile. “It’s time for Mr. Mazzello to see a different side of me. He’s been messing with my head and my libido, constantly leaving me panting and wanting more. It’s time for him to get a dose of his own medicine.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
BETH
Iwalk into my parent-teacher conference evening with a new sense of confidence. I’m in my new form-fitting Dolce and Gabanna black and blue business dress that fits my body like a glove and shows my assets in the most flattering, yet sophisticated, way possible. I’ve never worn anything quite like this in my life, especially in the realm ofbusiness attire.
My hair and makeup are perfect. I added red lipstick to give it a little something extra. I may have waxed and bleached too, just for the mental game of it all.
I look good. I feel good too. I’m business sexy personified, and I’m loving it.
I needed that pep talk from my sister and Giselle. It was a wake-up call.
