She gaped at me. "Why do you think Broderick won't let you stay the night? It's because he knows that Jacqueline wouldn't understand when they move back home."
"Brody doesn't ask me to leave. I chose to because Jacks is a six-year-old girl and I don't want her to feel like she has no choice in when I become a more permanent part of her life."
Monica's eyes widened.
"Now, I will be sure to let Brody know you dropped by and I appreciate your faux concern over my feelings. Wait, you don't care about my feelings. But that's fine. Please excuse me, I have more work to do." I reached out to grab the door to close it.
"I'll pay you a hundred thousand dollars to disappear from his life."
I paused and closed my eyes. Who the hell did this woman think she was?
Monica seemed to mistake my stillness as interest in her offer because she continued, "I'm sure that amount of money would make your life a great deal easier."
I lifted my head and stared at her. "Keep your money. Brody and Jacks are worth a lot more than that."
She took a tiny step closer and it took all my willpower not to punch her in the face. "Fine. Two hundred and fifty thousand. I'm sure that's what you make in five years at this place."
She wasn't far off the mark. Even as the owner of the shop, I only paid myself a modest salary. The rest of the money went back into the business. I could have given myself a larger paycheck, but I wanted to pay Sierra back for her investment as quickly as possible. As my best friend, I didn't want to be indebted to her any longer than I had to be.
I leaned forward slightly and the look on my face must have been frightening because she retreated a bit. "No amount of money you could pay me would be enough. I love Brody. And your daughter. I can't be bought. Or scared off." A speculative look crossed her face and I laughed. "And good luck finding skeletons in my closet. The few I have are no more embarrassing than anything else I've done in my life."
"I will get you out of his life," Monica replied.
"You'll try," I corrected. "And you'll fail. Because unlike you, I'm not afraid to work for what I want. And when all else fails, I will play as dirty as I have to when someone messes with me or the people I love."
"You have no idea what dirty means," she threatened. "But you will."
"I'm sure you're familiar with dirty," I shot back. "And you may be a nasty, vindictive snake, but you're missing something I have."
Her gaze skimmed over me and she scoffed. "I doubt that."
"You're missing people in your life who truly love you. Who would do anything for you, regardless of what was in it for them. I don't have to pay people to help me. I only have to ask."
"This is a waste of time," Monica said, stepping back and pulling her sunglasses back down over her eyes. "But you will wish you'd taken the money. I guarantee it."
"Bye, Monica. I hope you don't trip and fall into a lake. I'd prefer the opportunity to shove you myself."
I shut the door to the shop and locked it. I could feel her eyes on me as I walked away, pulling my phone out of my pocket as I went. I stopped by the front counter, leaned my hips back against it, and lifted the phone to my ear after I selected Brody's name from my contact list.
I met Monica's gaze without flinching. I wanted her to know exactly what I was doing.
She tossed her head and stalked off before Brody picked up.
"Hey, Cam. How's my woman today?"
An honest answer was the best choice. "I've been better."
"What happened?"
"Nothing much. I've been cleaning the base tile in the dining room on my hands and knees all morning and your ex just came by to try to bribe me to stay away from you. When that didn't work, she threatened to "play dirty". Whatever that means."
Brody was silent. "I'll be there in ten minutes. Is she still there?"
"No. She left after I closed the door in her face and picked up the phone to call you."
"I'm guessing that's why the private investigator is calling me right this moment. If she comes back, don't interact with her. If she doesn't leave, call the sheriff. I'm on my way."
"She's gone, Brody. You don't have to come here and—"
