Page 36

Jade

“What a week,” Allie said on a sigh, sitting back in a conference room chair.

I huffed out a breath. “You’re telling me.

” I was exhausted just thinking about it all again.

See, I’d brought Allie, Perla, and Maria up to speed on my life after Maria’s editors’ meeting.

All four of us were sitting around the table in the conference room, talking about everything and nothing when they’d asked me how Newport went. Of course, I’d had to divulge.

“It’s happening,” Maria pointed out in a sing-song voice. Right off the bat, I didn’t like what she’d said. Not one bit.

Eyes narrowed to thin slits, I shot her a look. “What’s happening ?” What did she know that I apparently didn’t?

Smirking, she looked at Perla. Oh, brother, this was where she was going to tell me I was following in Perla’s fake-turned-real footsteps.

Before she could voice her opinion, I put my hands in the air.

“Hold up, wait a minute. I think I know where this is going and no. No. No. No. A thousand times over.”

Perla laughed as she got up to help herself to one of the fresh bagels Maria had brought in for the meeting.

“Get me one. I’m getting hungry,” Allie called, a finger raised in the air. “Extra cream cheese.”

Nodding, Perla pulled two out of a brown bag and slathered them with cream cheese. Throwing a wink at me over her shoulder, she spoke. “I have a spread idea.”

Maria’s gaze turned from her notepad where she was doodling what looked like a naughty pornographic sketch. Something to inquire about later. “Well?” she probed.

Meanwhile, I had a feeling Perla was throwing me a bone in mentioning this whole spread idea, so I was intrigued to hear what she was going to say next.

“We just finished a meeting. Aren’t you a little late?” Allie asked, tearing her bagel apart.

Just as Perla was about to divulge her idea, my phone rang, which caused my stomach to flip over. It was Sherrilyn. I had to take it, didn’t I?

Pointing a finger in the air, I stood up and started walking to the door.

“I have to take this.” If I could get to the elevators, I could go downstairs and talk to her, but I knew my signal would drop.

So, instead, I walked to my office, answering the call on my way.

“Hi, Sherrilyn. So nice to hear from you.”

I heard the distinct noise of traffic. “Jadey.” I cringed. “How are you?”

Nodding, I closed the door to my office. “Good. You?”

A car horn sounded as she sighed heavily into the phone. “I’m excellent. I hope you and Red had a nice time in Newport.”

“Of course. It was lovely. Truly, we can’t thank you enough for sharing your special day with us.” And by special day, I meant not-so-special in case you forgot they were already married!

“Think nothing of it. Anyway, I don’t have a lot of time to gab, so I’ll get right down to it. I need your help. Actually, we need your help.”

“We?” This better not be a set of hoops or some shit I had to jump through for Red.

Not that I wouldn’t have because I would.

I just preferred not to be treated like a circus animal.

And for the record, this was the sole reason why my stomach had flipped over when I’d seen it was her calling. I just never knew with this woman.

“The planning committee for the charity auction. What did you think I was talking about?”

Shit. “Um, nothing. The auction, of course.”

“Anyway, there’s been a last-minute change in venue, which means that certain details need to change and invites have to be updated so everyone knows. Lots to do. It’s ridiculous. You’ll help?”

I’d rather not, but it was for a good cause. Correction: it was for two good causes—Red and the charity. “Tell me what you need.”

Releasing a sigh, Sherrilyn squeaked. “I just knew I could count on you. Thank you, Jadey. I’ll email you the details.”

“Great.” And by great , I meant holy shit was it anything but great. This was so far outside my wheelhouse.

Once we hung up, I all but ran back to the conference room.

Huffing and puffing, I dropped my hands on my knees. “Thank goodness. . . you’re all. . . still here,” I managed in between deep breaths.

Eyes wide, Perla asked, “Where did you think we’d be?”

“I wasn’t sure if you would’ve—” I waved my hand in front of my face.

“Forget it. I need help.” It was rare I asked for help, but I now had confirmation Sherrilyn could be a bitch (thank you, attitude during the welcome sail).

I couldn’t screw up again. I feared it’d be my last time, and I really wanted to help Red and his cause, not hurt it.

I explained the planning crisis. When I finished, though, they were all just staring back at me.

“So?” Allie asked.

“So, what?” I all but shrieked.

“Did you get the email yet? How can we help if you don’t know what she wants you to do?” Maria asked.

Could I slap myself upside the head and not look like the biggest idiot ever? Maybe that wouldn’t even be the reason I looked like an idiot. Who knew? Finally catching my breath, I pulled up my email on my phone. “No.”

“Then relax. It’ll be okay. Wait for her email, and we’ll go from there,” Perla calmly suggested.

In between bites, Allie nodded and pointed at Perla. “What she said.”

That made sense, I supposed. “Right. Yeah. Okay.” I turned and searched the table where breakfast was sitting. Nope, no chocolate in sight. I could have used chocolate right about now.

Sinking down on the chair I’d previously occupied, I leaned my head back.

This little charade was going to kill me before it was over.

“So, what were you guys talking about?” I asked, finally relaxing.

Meanwhile, all I could think about was how this was so not me.

What the hell had Red done to me to make me actually give a shit about others?

Namely, him because, I had to be honest, he was the only reason I wanted to impress Sherrilyn.

It turned out, it was a million times easier to not care.

Damn Red for worming his way into my icy heart. I’d even tried to ignore it, to shut him out, and still couldn’t do it. It was too late.

Sitting back, Allie answered, “The magazine, but I was actually about to ask if someone can watch Tipsy tomorrow. Brady and I have a thing, and Dad’s watching Gina, but he isn’t fond of Tipsy, so he asked me if I could get one of you to deal with her.”

When no one raced to come to her rescue, she pleaded, “Please.”

I could take her dog. It was the least I could do to help out. “I’ll do it.”

“Really?” Allie asked, looking almost surprised. I wasn’t sure if that offended me or not, but okay.

I nodded. “Yeah, really. If you don’t want me to, though, then—”

“No! It’s not that. I’m so happy actually. Thank you, Jade.” Allie got up and walked around the table to squeeze my head into a hug against her chest.

Maybe I shouldn’t have volunteered.