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“That’s what I agreed to with Chase.” I smiled, knowing I had the upper hand.
“Well, Dawn won’t like it.”
“I can’t wait to meet this Dawn.” Vivian grinned.
Never happening.
“So how do you do the holidays?” I turned to Lucy so the conversation could go to something else.
“It’s a lottery system. We all throw our keys in a bucket, shake it, and Chase pulls one out.” Lucy glanced at one of the pictures of a naked man lounging on a velvet chair, his eyes intent on the viewer.
“Wow. A lottery system? That’s romantic. And do Chase’s parents know about all of you?” Vivian asked.
“No.” Wendy shook her head. “His mom is dead. His dad probably wouldn’t care. There’s gossip in New York that Chase’s dad has women all over the state and babies with them all. Some of the kids are school-aged. But Chase still doesn’t want his dad to know.”
“Like father like son.” Vivian smirked.
“Chase is nothing like his father.” Lucy’s fingers formed into shivering fists. “He’s a very cruel man and has no respect for anyone else, especially women. I’m not upset I can’t sit at a dinner table with him, pretending like I’m happy he’s there.”
“And Dawn’s family is a bunch of stuffy mannequins.” Wendy yanked out a pack of cigarettes. “Her mother has a nasal voice and she’s always looking at me like I’m an infection.”
“Of course she looks at you that way, you’re sleeping with her daughter’s fiancé,” Vivian blurted out.
I nudged her again.
“What? It’s the truth. Her mother probably senses the obvious, that her daughter is engaged to a selfish egomaniac.” Vivian finished her wine. “The more I learn the more I’m leaning toward the side of run as fast as you can.”
I sighed. “Vivian. Stop.”
“You’re going to have to tell Troy eventually.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” I grabbed the new rum and Coke the waiter carried over to me, along with my food. “I agreed to try this for three months. But I can barely deal with a few hours at Willow Park.”
“I was like that my first week.” Wendy touched my hand. It seemed weird to have her console me. Wendy patted my arm. “I got used to it after a month or so.”
Vivian sucked her teeth. “I don’t know if it’s a good situation if you have to get used to something that hurts you.”
“Who says I’m hurting?” I asked.
“Every time they talk about doing something with Mr. Glorious you cringe.” Vivian grabbed one of my parmesan French fries. “You’re drinking in the middle of the week and you’re not even a big drinker. It’s kind of obvious, Jasmine.”
“I just have a lot to think about with this situation.” I nabbed one of the oysters. “He hasn’t hurt me.”
“Yet,” Vivian added.
“Yet.” I stuffed my mouth with food.
“Plus, Dad hates him. He’s called every day asking if you’ve come back from France,” Vivian said. “Your mom called me, too.”
Shit.
I hit my head. “I haven’t talked to Mom in weeks, she doesn’t even know where Troy is living or that I’m working.”
“I’ve tried to get your brother to see her, but he refuses.” Vivian took another fry.
I slapped her hand. “Leave my food alone. Yours is coming.”
“Stingy.” She stuck her tongue out.
