nephews happy?”
She did. She also hated it when he used it as part of his manipulation. They weren’t unhappy now, and he’d taken them to Euro Disney last fall, and they’d both already gotten their orthodontics done. “When you freeze my accounts, no one gets to the money.”
“That’s the point. Can you imagine how disappointed Grandma would be if she saw you wasting your life like this? Working, instead of finding yourself a guy? Cooking for strangers, instead of using her gift to you to take care of your own family?”
His words struck a chord inside her that pinged like an exposed nerve in a tooth, and she cringed. Despite the number of times they had this argument, her reaction never lessened. And as much as doing this left a bitter taste in her mouth, arguing didn’t work. It was time to pretend to concede. “That’s actually why I’m calling.” She tried to make her words as sugary sweetly kind as his. “I’m engaged.”
“What?”
“To an amazing man, who’s got the most brilliant daughter. Fantastic guy. Doesn’t want me working.” Okay, so Brad never said that. And something told her he never would, unless that was what she wanted. Play the part. Say the lines. “And I’d love to be able to take her to Universal Studios. She’s the best kid ever. You wouldn’t want your new niece unhappy, would you?”
“You’re full of shit, Gwennie. You can’t claim there’s a guy and a family, and expect this to go away.”
“It’s all real. In fact, I’m also calling to agree to the binding arbitration. Let’s make it happen.” It meant whatever was decided, she had to abide by, even if they still said she wasn’t entitled to the inheritance, but it was the one way to put this to an end. Fast. Besides, this way they didn’t have to hem and haw over what Grandma meant in her will, because Gwen would fit the description.
There was a long pause, enough that Gwen had to check her phone, to make sure they were still connected. Finally, he said, “The sooner the better, right? I’ll talk to you soon, Sis.”
Her response was to hang up. As she set her phone aside, the ring caught her attention again. Shimmery, almost glaring. A new voice joined the others bickering in her head, this one asking if the deception was worth it. She only had one argument for that—if the world wouldn’t let her play fair, she’d go along with their fucked up, fuck-everyone-over rules instead.
A sour pit sank in her gut at the abrupt thought. She scraped her toast into the trash, put her unfinished glass of juice in the fridge, and tried to ignore the acid burning up her throat.
****
Adrenaline coursed through Brad. Every inch of him, from his teeth to his toenails, was on edge. He watched Emily pile Drea into the back of her SUV, buckle her in, then flip him off before she climbed into the driver’s seat.
He had a feeling he might not see Drea much over the next week or two. With any luck, that wouldn’t become a permanent arrangement. He wove his way through the parking garage under the courthouse, and to his car, dialing Gwen along the way. She needed to know this anyway, but he couldn’t ignore the blip of giddiness inside at the thought of talking to her again. It was only Tuesday, but Sunday felt like forever ago. And that Saturday in the mountains might as well have been another lifetime.
She picked up after a couple rings. “Hey. I was just thinking about you.”
“Oh?” He was surprised at the flutter inside.
“Yup. I want to add you on Facebook, so I can change my relationship status.”
“Oh.” Of course. “Are you free right now?”
“Sure. I need your opinion on wedding announcements, anyway. Have to pick the right stock and decide on a location for photos.”
She was getting into it. Something to be grateful for. “I’m at the courthouse, so I’m only about ten minutes from your place. I’m going to stop by.”
“Great. Fantastic. Ooh, bring dinner. You know
She did. She also hated it when he used it as part of his manipulation. They weren’t unhappy now, and he’d taken them to Euro Disney last fall, and they’d both already gotten their orthodontics done. “When you freeze my accounts, no one gets to the money.”
“That’s the point. Can you imagine how disappointed Grandma would be if she saw you wasting your life like this? Working, instead of finding yourself a guy? Cooking for strangers, instead of using her gift to you to take care of your own family?”
His words struck a chord inside her that pinged like an exposed nerve in a tooth, and she cringed. Despite the number of times they had this argument, her reaction never lessened. And as much as doing this left a bitter taste in her mouth, arguing didn’t work. It was time to pretend to concede. “That’s actually why I’m calling.” She tried to make her words as sugary sweetly kind as his. “I’m engaged.”
“What?”
“To an amazing man, who’s got the most brilliant daughter. Fantastic guy. Doesn’t want me working.” Okay, so Brad never said that. And something told her he never would, unless that was what she wanted. Play the part. Say the lines. “And I’d love to be able to take her to Universal Studios. She’s the best kid ever. You wouldn’t want your new niece unhappy, would you?”
“You’re full of shit, Gwennie. You can’t claim there’s a guy and a family, and expect this to go away.”
“It’s all real. In fact, I’m also calling to agree to the binding arbitration. Let’s make it happen.” It meant whatever was decided, she had to abide by, even if they still said she wasn’t entitled to the inheritance, but it was the one way to put this to an end. Fast. Besides, this way they didn’t have to hem and haw over what Grandma meant in her will, because Gwen would fit the description.
There was a long pause, enough that Gwen had to check her phone, to make sure they were still connected. Finally, he said, “The sooner the better, right? I’ll talk to you soon, Sis.”
Her response was to hang up. As she set her phone aside, the ring caught her attention again. Shimmery, almost glaring. A new voice joined the others bickering in her head, this one asking if the deception was worth it. She only had one argument for that—if the world wouldn’t let her play fair, she’d go along with their fucked up, fuck-everyone-over rules instead.
A sour pit sank in her gut at the abrupt thought. She scraped her toast into the trash, put her unfinished glass of juice in the fridge, and tried to ignore the acid burning up her throat.
****
Adrenaline coursed through Brad. Every inch of him, from his teeth to his toenails, was on edge. He watched Emily pile Drea into the back of her SUV, buckle her in, then flip him off before she climbed into the driver’s seat.
He had a feeling he might not see Drea much over the next week or two. With any luck, that wouldn’t become a permanent arrangement. He wove his way through the parking garage under the courthouse, and to his car, dialing Gwen along the way. She needed to know this anyway, but he couldn’t ignore the blip of giddiness inside at the thought of talking to her again. It was only Tuesday, but Sunday felt like forever ago. And that Saturday in the mountains might as well have been another lifetime.
She picked up after a couple rings. “Hey. I was just thinking about you.”
“Oh?” He was surprised at the flutter inside.
“Yup. I want to add you on Facebook, so I can change my relationship status.”
“Oh.” Of course. “Are you free right now?”
“Sure. I need your opinion on wedding announcements, anyway. Have to pick the right stock and decide on a location for photos.”
She was getting into it. Something to be grateful for. “I’m at the courthouse, so I’m only about ten minutes from your place. I’m going to stop by.”
“Great. Fantastic. Ooh, bring dinner. You know
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