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“Let’s deal with one thing at a time. What happened with Everett?”
“I have no fucking idea. One minute we’re pretty much all in love—”
“Wait,” Ruby interrupts me. “In love? Seriously?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I sigh. “Anyway, he was so sweet to me. Then I have no idea what happened. I went to his office to surprise him and Margie was already there. He had her pinned to the wall, Ruby.” I turn and look at her so I can see her face. “Why would he do that?”
“Are you sure you didn’t misconstrue it for something else? I know what you’re like.”
“Does it really matter. He’s a rich playboy. I’m sure he’d have gotten bored with me eventually.”
“And I’m sure that’s what you’re telling yourself over and over. Because it can’t be anything else right? Reag, you have to look at the bigger picture, read between the lines. I highly doubt he would cheat on you; especially not with someone who’s so obsessed with another woman that she has to change her whole appearance to look like her.” She takes my hands in hers. “Leave that fucking messed up bitch out of this scenario for a minute and let’s just focus on you and Everett. Did you ask him to explain?”
“He tried.”
“Oh, Reagan.” Her shoulders slump as she sighs at me. “I love you to death, but you’re such hard work at times. I really just want to shake you.”
I roll my eyes. Lifting my wine to my lips, I tip back the glass and drink half of the contents. I need this today. “Just keep the wine coming.”
She refills my glass, “So, other than what happened with Everett, why have you been suspended?”
I have to have another gulp of wine for this. “Losing accounts and, this is the kicker, bullying. I’m a bully. Did you know that?”
“Fuck. What the actual fuck? Where did he get something like that from?”
“Well, I could give you three guesses, but I think you’re only going to need one. I have no proof though.” Pouring more wine into my glass, I put the bottle down with more force than needed and take a sip, the strong tangy liquid rushing down my throat. “If I’m right, I think Margie is the one who sabotaged that account, but there I go again, accusing her, bullying her.”
Was I really that self-absorbed to not even see what she was up to? Or was I just clueless to her gains? Just how stupid was I?
Fuck my life!
“Alright, that’s it.” I raise my eyebrows at my best friend, and in the next second, she’s taking my glass from me and putting it down. “You need to stop this fucking pity party right now. You’re better than this, Reagan.”
“What’s the point?” I say, defeated. “Everett doesn’t want me anymore.”
“No. You pushed him away. Like you always do with people.” She takes me by the shoulders. “I know your dad dying wrecked you, but you’ve come so far. You let Everett in. You were doing so well…”
“Yeah, and then someone pushed themselves into my life, someone I didn’t know from Adam, and screwed my fucking life up!”
“I’m not so sure.”
That gets my attention, and my eyebrows pull together in a frown.“What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure she came from nowhere. I have to do some more digging, but I think we know her from way back…”
“What the fuck? Where?”
“I don’t want to say too much until I know for sure. I’ve watched you for the last few weeks, and you’re not acting like my best friend. I’m not sure where she went, but I want her back. I want the woman who wouldn’t take shit from anyone. The most ruthless woman in the business.”
“Pfft. Ruthless? I don’t think that’s the right word. She managed to strip me of everything, Ruby. And no one believes me.” As I shake my head, I can feel a tear roll slowly down my cheek. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”
Brushing away my tears, she holds my head in place, her eyes changing from soft to determined. “Then goddammit, you take it back. Do you hear me, Raegan Quinn? You are better than her, stronger than her.”
Pinching the stem of the glass between my finger and thumb, I pull it closer to me before cupping the globe in my hand and taking a swig.
“Why don’t we start with what we do know, then move on to what we need to prove. What do you know about her?” Ruby sits up a little straighter, picks up her glass, and sips at her wine while she waits on me.
“She has an impeccable record… mostly top grades and her references are amazing. She was more than qualified for the job when I took her on.” I pull myself up to match Ruby and take another gulp of my wine, which is starting to take effect. Red wine always goes right to my head, and at the rate I’ve been knocking this back, I know it won’t take long. Suddenly, my mind clears. “That bitch was playing me, wasn’t she?”
