And I got, Not if not forced to do so. The decision is yours. I suggest you make the right one, darling.
Yes!
He pulled The Darling!
Which started me fuming.
“Is everything okay, Vivi?” Chassie whisper-asked.
I stopped glaring out the window at the beautiful English countryside and looked to her.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I lied.
“You don’t seem fine,” Prue noted, regarding me with worry.
She and Chassie were sitting opposite Tempie and me.
“Okay, well, forewarning you, Battle and I are in a fight,” I admitted.
Prue’s mouth dropped open.
Chassie’s eyes got big.
“It’s not a huge deal,” I assured. “It’s just, the cottage I was going to go to has black mold so I can’t go. I told Battle. He told me I’m staying at The Downs. Told me.”
Not a one of them had any reaction to this.
So I went on, “I tried to compromise by offering him the rent I would?—”
I stopped when all three of them hissed breath in between their teeth.
Even Tempie!
I looked among them. “What?”
“You offered Battie rent?” Chassie whisper-whispered, in total shock.
“It’s rude to overstay your welcome,” I told her.
She seemed flummoxed. “But…you’re not.”
Man, I was falling in love with all of these people.
“That’s sweet, Chassie, but I kinda am,” I said gently.
“Do you want to leave?” Prue asked anxiously.
“No,” I said fast. “Not at all. It’s just…not paying anything for room and board?”
None of them had a reaction to that either.
I wasn’t sure I could have this discussion again, especially when I was already going to when I saw Battle again.
About the time I had that thought, Tempie noted, “Obviously you know you must stand down from your position.”
I turned to look at her. “I do?”
She smoothed the material of her black slacks and stated, “He is that man, Vivi. And I do believe you know what I’m saying.”
