Page 43 of June: Jess' Story

Happy to help. I can have my assistant reach out about billing. I’m sort of stuck in Taiwan waiting for a hearing, so this’ll give me something to kill some time.

It’s all about preference, but for me, I kept things fairly simple. Any property acquired prior to the marriage remains in my possession and then all alimony was waived. Which I’d probably recommend to you as well.

Let me know what I can do to help, and again, congrats!

Tommy DiAngelo

Yeah, that’s sort of what I thought. Things could be different, though. I don’t know every finite detail of their agreement based on this email. But he’s a fucking lawyer; only an idiot would think he hasn’t drawn up a tight contract that covers his ass completely, and more than likely leaves Jess hanging out to dry.

I’ll have to explain all this away later. Sort of pissed at myself for sending that email, but I’m already in this deep…

Hey,

It’s someone I knew a long time ago. Recently reconnected.

Can you have your assistant send over docs on proceeding?

I’m curious about your thoughts on pre-funding a divorce settlement. Would that be best in a trust?

Thanks for the advice.

Alex Palomino

It’s easy to find her. She’s slightly bent over the top deck railing, her ass sticking up and out slightly. Her tan legs looking a mile long in her short shorts. It’s another mental image I sure as fuck didn’t need to add to the bank.

There’s a whole party going on inside the house, but she’s out here alone watching the lake turn from blue to black as the sun sets behind us. It’s nice out. There’s flower petals all over the deck, and candles burning. It’s quiet, too, just a soft hum of music leaking from inside. Can’t take any credit for the setup, though. Liam proposed to Britain this afternoon. This is just the remnants of the spectacle.

I’m happy for my sister, but you know, this is the second engagement party I’ve been to for her in the last couple of months so…

“Hey,” I say, taking a spot next to her, leaning against the rail facing her instead of the lake.

“Hey,” she doesn’t turn or anything.Bad day?That’s what I want to ask, but it’d be stupid because I bet a lot of her days are bad right now.

“Something you said at lunch the other day…it’s been bothering me.”

“Whatever it was, I’m sorry.” She doesn’t look up, but oddly sounds sincere. And defeated. It’s so not like her.

“No, it uh-it wasn’t like that. Just, are you gonna be okay…” I don’t know how to say this without insulting her, “without Tommy?” She grimaces.

“Eventually, I’m sure. Why?” She takes a swig of her clear drink on the rocks, then sets it back down beside the baby monitor perched beside her.

“Just was worried, that’s all.” My mouth twists a bit. I’m relearning what it’s like to talk to her, but it’s different now. All of it. Both of us. Maybe too much has happened.

“Again, why?” Her tone. It’s so devoid of what makes JessJess. It’s weird.

I shrug, and so does she. She grabs a clip that was snapped on to the hem of her button down shirt and winds her hair up tight, and for some reason that gets me hard.

“So, how long are you staying for?” Back to basics. Small talk. Hate it.

“Tonight’s it.” Oh.Fuck.

“You’re leaving?” I don’t know why I sound so surprised.

“Yeah, I think so.”

I nod. “Back home?” She looks up at me. Something like hurt flaring in her eyes.

“Back to Tommy’s house, for now, yes.” Tommy’s house. I see.