The amusement drains away and a wave of panic crashes against me. I instinctively pull the phone closer.
“Why?” My voice is shaky and even I can spot the overreaction. “I promise I won’t check their photos.” Too often.
“Eliza.” The outline of Quinn’s face softens and she sighs. “It’s not healthy.”
“But—” I have no idea why I’m fighting her. It’s enough that we live in the same small town. How do I stop wanting to know if he’s happier with her? We weren’t the happiest couple, but their blissfulness after the backstabbing irks me.
It burns too deep, and I don’t wish him well. I hope he crashes and burns, and I get front-row seats to the show.
“You’re right. I’ll never focus on my life if I keep obsessing over theirs,” I admit with a knot in my stomach. I give her the phone and silently plead with Quinn to help me.
“Promise you won’t unblock them?” She peers at me sternly over the phone while typing and scrolling.
“I’ll let you put parental controls on if I slip.”
Quinn hands it back with a satisfied smirk. I guess she’s happy I agreed to ignore Jared and Caroline, but then she says in the most deceptive, calm and casual tone, “You got a text, by the way.”
CARTER: I made too many lobster rolls.
Damn it! Those are my favorite. It’s a battle between my pride and the need to back away from him and my taste buds.
“Weren’t you supposed to cook for him? Did you come up with a new arrangement?” she asks, laying it on a bit thick with the innuendo.
“He’s a better cook, to be honest.” I tell her the truth, veering past the fact that I want to avoid him.
Quinn tilts her head. “You don’t look like a woman who has a gorgeous man in her kitchen cooking dinner.”
“He’s just bored. Don’t overthink it.” I’m going to skip it again. I only wish he didn’t leave a plate out for me each time. It makes me feel guilty even though I did nothing wrong.
Quinn doesn’t say anything but she’s plotting something in her pretty blonde head. I can smell it on her.
When I get home there’s dinner again on the island counter. A note in his elegant and even handwriting rests next to it.
Eat or I’m calling Martha.
Chapter Sixteen
CARTER
Joseph answers the phone with a sigh, wordlessly letting me know I’m a nuisance. It irritates me to no end.
“Pierre is poking around.” I skip the pleasantries.
“Where did you hear that?” He doesn’t sound alarmed.
“This is ridiculous and dangerous for the company. I should come back.”
“It’s interesting you called me and not Jackie or your mother.” Joseph’s baritone is laced with amusement.
“You’re my right hand and are supposed to have my back.”
“It’s cute you don’t want to hurt your sister’s feelings. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
The old man is spot on. I don’t want Jackie to think I’m fighting to get back because I don’t trust her. Doing an abysmal job of hiding how proud he was of her, Adam told me she was the one to deliver the final blow to UniCore and land the government contract.
“You could persuade my mother.” I try this angle again.
“Not a chance. I care for you as much as I do for Logan. But I’m not risking crossing her.”
