Chapter Nineteen
Libra
“Come on,Lou Lou.You’ve got to eat something.”
“I’m not hungry.”I’m not.And, yes, I know why that is.He’s been gone five days, and since then, food just isn’t for me.
“Please?”Bella’s got one of her Lou Lou’s pecan things hovering in front of my face.Hell, she even came out to the Little house to feed me.
“Shouldn’t you be at your store?”It’s the middle of the day on a Friday, one of her busiest days.
“I’ve got it covered.Charlotte’s there.Don’t worry.”She sighs.“Look.I know this is over what’s-his-name but there’s no dick in the world worth turning down one of these little babies.”She wiggles the treat again.It does smell good.
“I’m just not hungry.Leave it here.I’ll eat it later.”I haven’t been hungry since Chase kissed me goodbye at my truck.And now that she’s here pressing the issue, maybe it’s time I accept the fact that him leaving hurt more than I was willing to admit.That I had real feelings for the jerk, and I thought he had feelings for me, but that was just an illusion, because he kissed me goodbye, turned, and strode into the bed-and-breakfast without looking back.Not once.And I know this because my eyes never left the back of him.Not until the B and B’s front door shut.And even then, I watched, thinking that there was a chance he’d change his mind and come back out, saying something like, “Just kidding.I can’t leave the love of my life….”
Ha.That’s a joke.
“Liar.”
I shake off my maudlin thoughts and address her accusation with as much gusto as I can muster.“I’m not lying.I’ll eat it.”Eventually.
“You know what, I didn’t want to do this.”She sets the pastry down and starts to dig through her purse.“But you’re forcing my hand.”
I stare at her as she produces her cell phone.She clicks around on it until a photo appears.“Here.”I take hold of her phone and stare down at a picture of Chase.Funny.I didn’t take any pictures of him.I should have.One with the two of us together.
“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
I blink a few times and nod.“It’s Chase.”
“Talking to Mona.”
I see that.I also know when it was because he was wearing his Aries tee.“Was this taken last Saturday?”I guess it could’ve been Friday.He wore the shirt two days in a row, but he met her for the first time on Saturday.
“Yes.It was Saturday.I saw them as I was coming out of the drug store.”
“You took the picture?”
“Yeah.”
Okay.Should I be concerned that Bella’s taking photos of Mona with my boyf—a guy I had a fling with?
No.I’m not the only one who despises Mona.Bella has a beef with her too.Then, there’s all of her tenants who have to be out in a few weeks.Every one of them except her nephew.He gets to stay put; that’s no doubt so she can continue to make my life a living hell.
Which reminds me… Mona complained about me again.Something about where my truck is usually parked blocking the view of her nephew.A view of what?The highway?Needless to say, I’m due in front of the council again next week.The bitch.You know what, I think Bella is right.Someone’s going to off that woman.I smirk.I lift a shoulder.“So, what?”
“Why was he talking to Mona?”
I stare at the photo.“He met her that day.”The pair are standing outside Brother’s Place.Mona’s looking up at him.Her arms are crossed.She looks rather smug, but that’s just her.It also appears he’s the one talking.
“This doesn’t mean anything.”
“Okay.Then what about this one?”
She brings up a second photo.This one is different.In it, they’re both smiling.Not only that, but they’re shaking hands.
“Why would they shake hands?”I bring the phone up closer and enlarge the photo.Chase’s palm is up and Mona’s hand is on top of his.“But are they shaking hands?”I can’t tell.
“Yes, Lou Lou.They’re shaking hands.”Bella sighs, most likely due to frustration.I can make her that way.“Why the ef are they shaking hands?What did they agree on?Because, to me, a handshake means they sealed some sort of deal.”
