“What are you doing here?” Riley demanded. She didn’t need any more witnesses to her humiliation if the air conditioning scheme failed.
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Josie said with a rare smile. “Besides, Brian’s got something for you on the case. He’s trying out the new ramp.”
“Let’s talk in the office,” Nick said, taking Riley’s hand. He led her toward the front of the house, where Elanora was greeting her guests.
“That’s who you picked up?” Riley hissed under her breath.
The guy was built like one of those inflatable arm-waving things car dealerships seemed to like. Tall and entirely too bendy. He was so white he practically glowed. His long, straw-colored hair was pulled back in a man bun, but not a hot one. He was wearing a three-piece suit the color of grape jelly. The woman next to him was of medium height and medium build. She had darker skin, jet black hair, and wore a stylish pair of flowy pants under a bright green tunic. She looked annoyed.
Two camera crews were busy setting up in opposite corners of the parlor, where all the furniture had been moved out except for a large round table and a few dozen mismatched chairs for the audience.
Riley shivered despite the temperature.
“You okay?” Nick asked.
“Where did all the furniture go?” she wondered out loud. But if Nick answered, she didn’t hear him. Her attention was captured by Bella Goodshine in a Barbie pink pencil skirt and white sheath top. She was taking a series of puckered lip selfies in front of the seance table.
It was one thing to see the woman on a TV screen or her carefully curated Instagram account. It was another to see the woman Riley’s husband had left her for in the flesh.
Riley dug her fingers into Nick’s arm and decided now was as good a time as any to run away to Costa Rica.
But it was too late. Bella looked up, and her vacant gaze landed on them. “I know you!” she said, mincing over to them on pink, patent leather heels. She threw her arms around Nick in a full-boob contact hug.
“Dear God. Please tell me you didn’t,” Riley said, feeling faint. Little dots were floating in front of her eyes.
Nick extricated himself from the weather girl’s grasp. “I swear on my lifeno.”
“Oh, thank God,” she muttered.
“You’re a fan of my fiancé,” Bella bubbled. “I remember when you came to our house for his autograph.”
It was Riley’s turn to choke.
“I’ll explain that later,” he promised.
Bella turned to Riley with a glossy pink smile. “Hi, I’m Bella Goodshine, Channel 50’s weather girl! It’s going to be a humid one tomorrow.”
“I know who you are,” Riley said, standing stiffly, arms at her sides, as Bella hugged her. “I met you when you were naked and kneeling in front of my husband.”
Bella pulled back and cocked her head. Her expression was thoughtful.
“Griffin,” Riley prompted. “Griffin Gentry cheated on me with you in my bedroom.”
“Ohhhhh! Riley!” Bella said as if Riley told her they’d met at a Taylor Swift concert. “It’s so nice to see you again. I guess I should say thanks for your husband!”
Nick grabbed Riley by the waist.
“You are so welcome,” Riley said through clenched teeth.
“Easy tiger,” he said, dragging her into the hall.
“Things like this don’t happen to normal people,” she complained. “We’re all going to sweat to death just so my grandmother can prove we’re respectable psychics, not even caring that she is literally going to ruin my life.”
“Just keep picturing umbrella drinks in Costa Rica,” he suggested, towing her into the music room.
Without warning, they both tumbled over backwards, ending in a heap on the floor.
“What the hell, Santiago?” Riley grumbled under his sweaty body.
