Page 15 of Two Wrongs

“You really should try shutting the fuck up every once in a while. You’d lose less business if you did,” a gruff voice growls behind me.

I don’t have to turn around to know it’s Griffin Hale. My spine straightens and I hold my breath. I haven’t seen him once since the awkward exchange a week ago.

“I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised your son turned out to be such a lousy husband, with you being his father and all,” Mr. Palmer grumbles.

“Just fill her order and let’s move it along. Those of us not hanging around here for the gossip have places to be,” Griffin barks.

Stupidly, I turn around and see him carrying a giant size box of condoms. Really, who needs to buy condoms in bulk? “Magnums? That’s a stretch,” I scoff.

I feel his hot breath blow across my ear before he whispers, “The only stretching will be her pussy as she takes my giant cock.”

Making a gagging sound, I step to the side to give myself some room. “What is wrong with you? I think I preferred it when you acted like you hated me.”

The expression on his face turns glacial. “I still hate you, just not for the reasons you think.”

Mr. Palmer shoves a white paper bag at me with Dolores’s meds. “Wren, why don’t you go on home and give these to Mrs. Howell. She really should have her pills before it gets too late.”

“Good idea. How much do I owe you?” I reach into my purse for the cash she gave me to get her medicine, but Mr. Palmer waves me off.

“I think it’s best if I send her a bill this time. Go on home now,” he instructs like I’m still the thirteen-year-old girl he ran off when he thought I was buying too much candy.

I shiver as I walk out to my car. How did I miss how sexy my father-in-law is? Griffin’s words should disgust me as I told him they did, but I can’t stop replaying those images in my head and wondering what it would be like to be used in the way he described. I’ve fantasized about it before but never felt comfortable mentioning it to Liam. Now I can’t stop wondering what it would be like to catch Griffin’s attention instead of his anger.

* * *

After I drop off Dolores’meds I decide to do something for me. All the extra hours I’ve been working are supposed to go to paying off my lawyer and getting me the hell out of this town. But, that was before my lawyer refused to take my money beyond the costs he incurred to file for my divorce.

I run into Bess while I’m mindlessly walking around what passes for a mall in town. She hooks her arm through mine. “Girl, why are you looking around like you don’t know how to shop?”

“I know how to shop, but I don’t know what I want to buy.” I pull at the sweatshirt I threw on when I left the house earlier. “I’m not really sure what my style is.”

She claps her hands together. “Please say I can give you a makeover,” she begs.

“Uhm,” I pause to think if I want to be made over by a punk school girl. I’ll hand it to her, she has flair, and she does seem to know herself pretty well. I had thought that the Catholic school girl thing was her take on the uniform, but she’s wearing something similar today, except in lime green with hot pink accessories.

“I see that look you’re giving me. Don’t worry, I’m not going to turn you into my clone. Not just anyone can pull this look off.”

“We can look, but I think I know myself well enough at least to know what I don’t want,” I finally agree.

Bess smiles. “See, that’s something. If you don’t know what you want, knowing what you don’t want is a good place to start.”

“I don’t want to be Liam’s Wren anymore,” I say quietly.

She bumps me with her shoulder. “And so you won’t be.”

Taking my hand, Bess drags me as she skips through the mall. “Let’s go find the new Wren Parker. And then tonight you and I are going out.”

I pull against her hand. “I’m not sure I’m up for that.”

Bess spins around in a rainbow of colors. Despite her perpetually peppy personality, the look she gives me is serious. “I know people are talking. I’ve lived through my fair share of this town feeling like they are owed every morsel of your personal business too. I also know you’re planning on getting out of this place as soon as you can. But, until you do, you need to toughen that exterior of yours. Roll your shoulders back, keep your head high, and tell them to kiss your ass.”

I smile at her and hope some of her bravado wears off on me. “If I’m going into battle, let’s find me the right armor.”

Her fingers lift a lock of my hair. “How do you feel about color?”

“I’ve always wanted highlights,” I admit.

She mock gasps, and puts her hand over her heart. Her dramatics are amusing. “Wild woman.”

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