“Mel is my wife. She’s your ex-wife. And my wife is not interested in talking to you. She sent me to tell you to fuck off.”
An embarrassed flush covers Bob’s face. “I should have figured she’d hide behind you and use you to do her dirty work.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to help my wife? We both know she’s worth it. At least, you should have known. What do you need her for anyway?” I’m enjoying making Bob squirm. I keep picturing a humiliated, unemployed Melissa in Chicago having to face her friends and coworkers knowing that her husband cheated on her with her boss. Bob’s mild frustration and embarrassment right now isn’t nearly enough.
“That’s my business.”
“Literally, right? You need her to come back to Chicago because you have her signature on a contract. It’s not legit, but you figure if you talk to her, she’ll sign a real one and you and Paula won’t lose your restaurant.”
His flush drains until his face is white. “How do you know that?”
“I met an interesting guy on the cruise. Marcus Melbourne. He wanted to talk to Melissa about the same thing. Luckily forhim, they connected and he got the information he needed. Now he’s looking for you.”
“I didn’t know that,” Bob stammers unconvincingly. “Is he in L.A.? I’ll call him and explain the situation.”
“What’s to explain? You scammed a billionaire with a forged contract, you dumb fuck. Not even Melissa can save you now.”
“I can still salvage this. Paula has promised to leave Melissa alone at the restaurant, and we’re going to sell our shares in Martinique as soon as things are settled.”
I think he really believes the bullshit he’s spouting. I’ve met Marcus Melbourne three times for a total of five minutes and even I know that nobody takes that guy for a ride and walks away. “There’s not enough money in the world to make that happen.”
“That’s my problem. I should have known she wouldn’t help me. If Melissa’s not going to cooperate, the least she can do is convince Paula that we aren’t having an affair.”
“Again, that’s your problem.”
He smiles for the first time, all teeth and slickness that’s probably supposed to be charm. “Actually, it’s about to be Melissa’s. Paula’s paranoid about me cheating on her. She followed me to town and saw Melissa go into the restaurant with that other guy. She went to have a chat. If she doesn’t get what she wants, Melissa’s not going to enjoy it.”
Motherfucker.
CHAPTER 11
MELISSA
I pop outsidefor a minute with Mason when the beer truck arrives to make the week’s delivery to the bar. Mason says he has it in hand, so I return to the kitchen. It’s early but it gives me extra time to start my prep for tonight’s meals. I get busy grabbing cornmeal, flour, and eggs for some skillet cornbread.
I set the ovens to heat and lay several cast iron skillets on the counter to grease in preparation for the batter. I hear footsteps and turn, expecting to see Mason. “How the fuck did you get in here?”
Paula looks around, her face wrinkling in disgust. “How the mighty have fallen. But we both already knew you never belonged at Martinique, didn’t we?”
This isn’t good. Nobody warned us that Paula was in town. Wade told Mason to be on the lookout for strange men, not a redheaded woman with an over-inflated ego. “Get the fuck out of my kitchen, Paula.” I very specifically don’t ask what she’s doing in Lonesome. I don’t care why she’s here, but I know somehow it’s Bob’s fault.
“We need to discuss what you are doing with my husband.”
“For fuck’s sake, you married Bob. He’s your problem now.”
“Then why have you been texting him non-stop for the last two weeks? You were always planning to rendezvous with him on the cruise. I agreed to stay away from the restaurant while you’re there, but I’m warning you to keep your hands off Bob.”
“First of all, I haven’t spoken to that miserable cheat since our divorce was finalized. And second, why would I go back to Martinique? You fired me, remember?”
“Don’t be such a dramatic cunt, Melissa. You lost Bob but I’m generously giving you your job back. Say thank you for the contract and lose the attitude.”
“What contract? I got married and left the state, Paula. How much harder can I tell you to fuck off? And take Bob with you.”
“I know you and Bob got together on the ship.”
“Nope, I fucked my new husband the entire time and let me tell you, Duck is a significant step up. If Bob is cheating, and let’s be honest, we both know he probably is, it isn’t with me.”
“I saw the emails, you lying bitch. You demanded to see him. Demanded! Bob tried to hide them, but I saw they were all signed “Mel.” And, as if I needed more proof, as soon as I filed for divorce, he came running here to you.”
