And I am completely and utterly fucked.
“You’re fucked,” Caroline says when I call her that evening to tell her about my dilemma.
“I knoooow,” I wail, flopping back on my bed, which is covered with a cheerful pink-and-purple paisley comforter, a housewarming gift Caroline and Brayden had delivered to me while they were on vacation. A strand of jewel-toned round bulbs hangs over the top. Those were a gift from Aubrey.
“Maybe he won’t remember you,” she says hopefully. “Not to insult your bedroom skills or anything, girl, because I know you rocked his world, but that would be for the best, right?”
My spirits brighten slightly. “You know, I bet you’re right. I’m sure I overestimated what happened because I’ve never had sex that goodbefore. Or since. But Remington Hale probably gets laid like that every night, so it wasn’t special to him at all.”
“I’m still trying to figure out the whole ‘Darling Fiancée’ thing you saw on his phone because I researched him thoroughly once you found out who he was. There’s nothing online about him ever being engaged.”
“I haven’t even looked,” I say, pressing a hand to my stomach. “It makes me sick that I slept with someone who may have been engaged at the time.”
Caroline makes a noise of disgust. “He’s definitely close with that Serena chick. There are tons of pictures of them together, but nothing about an engagement. The gossip blogs go on and on about them being the perfect match, but they’re definitely not married. The wedding of someone like Remington Hale would be covered extensively.”
“All I know is what I saw on his phone. I have no idea what’s really going on unless they’re secretly engaged and want to keep it out of the media.”
“In which case, she’s an idiot. A seven year engagement and he still hasn’t put a ring on it? Girl, move the hell on.”
“Agreed. At least I have a week until Remington takes over. Hopefully, I will feel better about all this then because right now I’m a basket case.”
Caroline’s voice turns soft. “Babe, maybe you should just quit and work your bakery job part-time until you can find another position somewhere else.”
“I would but…” I squish my eyes closed. “I have to tell you something, and don’t be mad at me. I didn’t want to tell you while you were on vacation.”
“What?” she asks shortly.
“Roger emptied our bank accounts, including my savings.”
There’s a moment of calm before the storm that is my best friend explodes. “He what?”
“He emptied our accounts,” I admit quietly. “I don’t have any money right now except what I make at the bakery, which works out to fifty dollars a day, and I’m saving that up for October’s rent.”
“Mindy Espinoza, I’m so mad at you right now. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I wasn’t going to worry you while you were with your husband. Y’all are trying to have a baby. You didn’t need my burdens.”
She literally growls in my ear. “That’s what friends are for, you damn fool.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but there was absolutely nothing you could do. So you see why I need this job at Hale? It pays really well and has benefits. Plus, I’m thriving there.”
“You could move back to Galveston and stay with us,” she offers, her voice a soothing balm.
“That’s sweet,” I say, “but I’m actually enjoying my independence. I promise I’m fine. I just wanted you to understand why this job is important to me. They pay their employees really well, and I need the money.”
I don’t mention that I refuse to be a third wheel in someone else’s home because I remember how that felt when it was done to me.
Caroline is silent for so long I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at the screen. Nope. Not disconnected.
“Mindy,” she finally says, “I get where you’re coming from. I do. But I want you to know the offer still stands. Anytime it gets to be too much, you can move in here with us. Or I’m sure your aunt would welcome you back.”
“I appreciate it,” I say, my heart so full of love for my friend. “I can withstand a couple months of lean times, and I’m determined to make this work. I’ll save up enough money to pay my lawyer, and then she’ll handle all the shit for me. Hopefully, she can talk the judge into forcing Roger to give my money back.”
I can sense her displeasure through the phone. “Fine, but I don’t want to ever hear you talk about your mom’s stubbornness because you’re just as bad, miss ma’am. And I’m sending you some groceries tomorrow.” That last sentence sounds more like a threat than an offer.
“Caroline, you don’t have to?—”
“Can’t… hear… line… breaking up. Kshhhhh.” She makes a loud staticky noise before hanging up on me.
