Page 53 of The One

Another woman.

More relief passed through me. I didn’t know why. She could be dating or married, and I had no right to feel anything if she was. It had been fifteen years since she had been mine. But I had a feeling if she was in something long-term or had gotten hitched, she would have posted a picture of the guy on Instagram. Since she’d opened the account, she’d only ever shared solo photos or ones with other women.

Me

Let me know when she leaves.

Trista

What about work? Don’t you want me in the office today?

Me

I told you what I want you to do.

Trista

Who will assist you and Ridge?

Me

The only thing you need to worry about right now is making sure you don’t lose Lainey and that she doesn’t see you.

Trista

She’s at the mall.

Me

Alone?

Trista

Yes. But before she went to the mall, she had lunch with someone. A guy.

Me

You didn’t tell me …

I need details. Who is he? What does he look like? What’s his fucking name?

Trista

I took a few pictures. That’s all the information I have.

The first photo that came through showed Lainey and him at a table, sitting across from each other. She wasn’t smiling; they weren’t touching either. It looked like they were just talking. The second picture she sent was a much better angle of him. And as I studied him, I realized I recognized him.

He was Benny, her cousin, whom I’d met several times.

Me

Keep me updated. I want a text every time she goes anywhere new and pictures of who she’s with. Got it?

Trista

Yep.

Me