Page 48 of Scandalous Contract

“If she were in danger, she would’ve called me, and I would’ve actually answered and helped her out. It takes a village, and you have one. India is fine. Don’t you dare feel guilty for enjoying yourself!”

He didn’t understand. He couldn’t. I couldn’t control this guilt. The doorbell rang again.

“What am I supposed to do?” I whispered. “I can’t let her see Julian.”

“Ignore her. That’s what I’m doing.”

“I can’t ignore my child.”

“She’s not in danger. She just doesn’t want to spend her money on food.”

“What if she wants to spend time with her mom, Ronnie?”

“I guarantee you they are there for food.”

“They?” I squeaked. “Oh, right. You said she’s not alone.”

“Yeah. She brought her little friends with her.”

What?My gaze jerked to my bedroom door.

“Her roommate is with her,” Ronnie informed me. “Along with another girl.”

I opened my mouth, but no sound emerged. Julian’s sister was here. Would she recognize his car? This was going from bad to worse.

“Since you’re not good at lying to your daughter, I’ll do it for you. You owe me. I’ll put some casino noises on in the background and call her to tell her that you’re playing blackjack and can’t answer. I’ll tell her you’re on a roll, and we don’t need to interrupt your luck.”

“Oh... okay,” I whispered. “That sounds plausible. But why the casino?”

“Because that’s one place her little behind can’t enter. So, she won’t show up there. I’m pretty sure she’s tracking your location. I’ll tell her you forgot your phone at home and that we caught an Uber because we planned to have some mimosas.”

“That sounds like us.”

“I know, right? We really should do this while you’re here.”

“Yeah. Yeah. We will. Money. Tell her you’ll send her some money to take her friends to breakfast. I’ll pay you back.”

“Pay me back by relaxing and enjoying your day with Mr. Young Stud. I’ll send her money for food. I’ll tell her you’ll call her as soon as we get back to your house later today. Does that sound like a plan, Stella?”

“It does. And don’t call me that. It only makes me feel guiltier.”

“Girl, forget all of that! I only got one question for you. Was the dick good?”

I smiled. “It had me seeing sounds,” I joked.

“That’s what the fuck I’m talking about. You deserved it. Now hang up so I can go lie to my godchild. I’ll text you when it’s done.”

“Okay, and thanks again, Ronnie.”

“You’re welcome. I really wish you wouldn’t put so much pressure on yourself to be perfect. The perfect career woman. The perfect mom. The perfect bestie. You are human. Perfection isn’t in our nature. Those who strive for it only end up depressed and still imperfect. Just be happy, girl. How many times do I have to tell you this?”

I wiped my eyes before the tears could fall. “I...”

I was now too choked up to speak. Ronnie had been telling me this for years, especially when my husband was alive. Yet, here I was, seventeen years later, still trying to be perfect in every aspect of my life. Because if I wasn’t perfect, then I was.... I swallowed, not wanting to think about that right now.

“I don’t want to kill the vibe, so I’ll stop lecturing you, Stef. But please don’t run that man off just because of India showing up. Enjoy yourself. And when you’re done having fun, return to the real world. But for right now, live out your fantasy, girl.”

I nodded and then remembered that he couldn’t see me. “I’ll try.”