Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
She could’ve played a cheerleader in a movie. Her smile is bright, her head tilted, and one hand is braced over Cooper’s on her waist. It’s a cute couple’s picture that looks like it was taken by a professional photographer.
“That’s him, I’m pretty sure. Where’d you find it?”
“Luna Daley,” Mom says quietly. “His wife. I know her. She comes to my yoga class when they’re in town.”
“Small world.” I stare at her blankly. “But what are you saying, Mom? Did Luna know Cooper’s evil plans?”
“No, not quite.” She sticks her phone back in her bag and looks up, still frowning. “I’m just saying, everyone in yoga has heard of Cooper Daley.”
The way she says it makes me pause, every word frosted over.
“Why’s that? Are they all realtors?”
She snorts and shakes her head.
“I wish. Mr. Daley is a total alley cat. A real creeper.” Mom says it like she’s dropping a huge secret, but somehow, I’m not surprised.
Of course he is.
What sane human keeps coming back for that much elective dental work? His smile must get polished biweekly.
And now that I think about it…
Yikes.
Just look at the way he came on to me when we met, right before Ethan practically socked him in the face. Cooper just laughed it off like he was just being friendly.
“Can you prove it, though?” I rush out. “How do you know for sure?”
“Well, let’s see.” Mom taps her chin with her index finger, thinking. “He’s hit on at least three other women in our class. Luna invited them over for dinner, and he’d make his move right under her nose. The gossip train in our little yoga circle last winter just wouldn’t stop.”
Oh my God.
“Jeez, that’s bad. Does his wife know?”
“Luna? No. The poor thing was already pregnant with this going on. No one had the heart to spill the beans. One lady he cornered wanted to, but the other girls talked her down.”
Holy shit!
“But doesn’t she deserve the truth about her scummy cheating husband? Especially being pregnant.”
Now, I’m seriously pissed.
Mom sighs, regret dimming her eyes.
“I wish someone had told her now. She’s a lovely young woman, and being stuck with a two-timer who cheats behind her back—horrendous.”
No kidding.
Mom also knows a lot about that.
Judging from the photos, Luna looks like she’s around my age. And suddenly I remember all the ways a rich, powerful man can treat you.
Far worse than what Ethan did—not that it excuses any of his crap.
I rub my temples, trying to think.
What does this mean for the Blackthorns?
Cooper being a playboy snake isn’t a crime—that’s half the flashy, loaded men in the country, probably—but if he’s underhanded enough to hit on his wife’s friends under the same roof…
Jesus.
How underhanded can he get?
And what will he do if Ethan isn’t thinking straight?
If he tries to solve their disagreement with more than words?
I swallow roughly, wishing I could read minds.
“No wonder Margot’s crawling out of her skin,” I whisper, half to myself. “If Ethan confronts him… not good.”
Ares whines by my feet, leaning on my legs. I stroke his head absently, wiping my palm on my thighs when he pushes his wet nose into my palm.
“Hang on, I’ve got it!” Margot announces, jogging back over. Her designer heels don’t slow her down for a second. “He’s going to be at a Boston café in approximately”—she checks her watch—“two and a half hours.”
“With Cooper?” I demand.
“Probably. What else would he be there for? Oh, man.” Margot groans as she drags a hand down her face. “I cannot wait to shake some sense into that boy.”
“That makes two of us. I’m coming with!” I slam Mom’s trunk shut, flashing her a heavy look. The books can wait and I can trust her to keep them safe.
“And I’m driving. We’ll stop to unload a few of these boxes and then hit the road,” Mom says cheerfully.
Ares nudges my hand with his nose again. I look down at his wrinkled, lovable face and smile.
“Guess you’re with us, big guy. If we can’t get Ethan to listen, we’ll try woofs instead.” I rub his head until his loose skin flaps.
“And if that doesn’t do it, we’re beating the ever-loving crap out of him,” Margot adds.
If only it were that easy.
Truly, I have no flipping clue what kind of minefield we’re walking into.
But we’d better get there before this meeting happens and Ethan makes a life-eating mistake.
My stomach dips as I jump in Mom’s car, wondering if I’m ready for this drama.
When I woke up this morning, I had no idea I’d see Ethan again today. Definitely not under these circumstances.
Mom fills Margot in on Cooper’s creepy-crawlies as we drive to her house. I do my best not to imagine Ethan in a blind rage, walking up to Cooper and breaking his face.
If we get there in time, maybe we’ll make sure cooler heads prevail.