Page 29

“Your loss. You really should listen to this woman on a tear. I want to be her when I grow up.”

“Was she devastated?”

“No! She is pissed and ruthless. According to her, she knows the other man, too, and that was not his wife with him last night. She left her kids at her parents’ house and came back to town. First stop was the other wife’s house. She shared the evidence we collected, and it was on. Jean had a lawyer on speed dial and started the process of drawing up divorce papers. For both women!”

“She didn’t waste any time.”

“No, she didn’t. But her second message was more detailed. Don left today for a conference in Charlotte, so she had some time to delve. She went home and went wild, investigating all their financials and investments. The BMW he bought Mitz was eighty thousand dollars, which he paid for with cash he stupidly withdrew from an older account he claimed to have rolled into their 401k. Because it was in both their names, he forged her signature. She found the form in his email!”

Maren stops long enough to take a gulp and forges on. “This is where it gets a little sad. Jean claims that all other accounts looked fine, with no major expenditures or withdrawals. But while researching all this, she felt like an idiot. Her husband was cheating on her in the most grotesque way in her own home, the same home she’s raising her children. Her voice cracked a little in her message, reliving the details of the video and how she felt watching. But it didn’t last long. She quickly gathered herself and explained more.

“She went online and cleaned out their entire savings, wiring the money to a new account she opened in only her name. She then contacted the president of the bank, who is a friend of hers. Due to the large amount, it will take a couple of days to verify the account and transfer.”

“She did all this on a Sunday?”

“She’s got connections.”

“What did messages three and four say?” I’m a little too happy about this information, considering a woman’s life is imploding.

“Basically, by the time Don returns on Wednesday, she will have the preliminary divorce papers to serve, a very plush account to live on if he decides to play dirty, and she’s going to wire ten thousand dollars to us as soon as her account clears.” Maren falls back on the couch, kicking her legs in the air excitedly.

“Ten thousand dollars!?!” I squeak in disbelief.

“Yep! She stated we’ve earned every penny, and because of us, her friend is also taking measures to kick her lying scumbag of a husband to the curb. Essentially, we did two jobs.”

“But that’s outrageous!”

“Emi, she’s about to be a multi-millionaire. Ten K is nothing.”

“Wow,” is all I can say.

“Almost makes the nightmare of watching that foursome worth it.”

I cringe at the memory and shake my head. “Not sure, but it definitely helps toward our therapy.”

“Told you I had good news.”

“While it is good, I’m not sure it compares to Walker’s kisses.”

Her face scrunches as she thinks about this, and then she nods. “You’re right, but it’s a close second. Since I’m here, tell me about your date.” She settles back and gets comfortable.

Every moment of the evening is burned into my brain, and the melty-gooey feeling returns. I hate to admit that the girls were right. Any type of dating life I thought I had was non-existent compared to one evening with Walker.

The night was absolutely perfect, even him glaring at the waiter who tried to flirt with me. I considered it harmless, but Walker had a different opinion. He tugged my hand across the table, kissing along my knuckles until the guy’s carefree smile vanished. The only time he let my hand go was when our meal arrived, but even then, he was close, finding small ways to touch me.

My lips start to tingle remembering our kisses, and I place my fingers to my mouth.

“I’ll repeat, you’ve got it bad.”

“You have no idea.”

“Spill.”

“No, no, no.” I read the email from Maren telling me she’s picking me up in thirty minutes. Instead of replying, I grab my phone and dial her number.

“Not doing it tonight. I have a date,” I say before she can utter a hello.

“Did you read the email? It has to be tonight. He’s in town for one night only.”