Page 45 of Just My Ex

I almost protest, but then my mind wakes up to the sheer wonder of having someone with us in the morning so that I can go back to sleep, someone I trust with Navie.

It’s pure luxury. And you better believe I’m going to take complete advantage of the opportunity.

Really, it’s the least Henry can do after all that’s happened, right?

I give Navie a kiss on the head and then set some of her clothes from her suitcase outside of the room.

When I wake up, two hours later, to the smell of burnt bacon, it takes me a moment to realize where I am. And then the betrayal from Marley comes to mind and I groan. I’m in Longdale, hiding from my uncle, with Henry. And Marley articulated my worst fears.

No going back to sleep after those memories. Besides, should I be concerned about the burnt bacon?

I get dressed, brush my teeth, and wash my face.

“Good morning, Mommy,” Navie says when I walk out of the bathroom. She picks up an empty plate from off the table and rushes to hand it to me. “We made you bacon.”

Henry stands from the table. “I burned the first batch. But I got the hang of it after that.”

I chuckle and take the plate from Navie.

“And eggs.” She puts her hands on her waist and throws her head back. It’s her thinking pose. “We put cheese in. And Daddy made me stir.”

“Hemadeyou, huh?” I giggle and fluff her hair. “Are you a mean old boss now, Henry?”

He picks Navie up and twirls her around in the air. “Yes. Next you have to make me some steak. Will you cook me some steak?” he asks her.

“Noooo!” She says, nearly hyperventilating with laughter as he spins her around.

It’s all so … domestic. It’s what I wanted. What I had with him for too short of a time. A dream that was taken from me.

My eyes burn and I turn away. “Feed me all the bacon and eggs, guys. Extra cheese, please.”

Stella watches Navie while we have another family meeting. I’m embarrassed by it all. Don’t the Tates have more to do than have a meeting about me and my messed-up family?

Henry called it a “Ten-minute Meeting.” Ha! We’ll see.

He’s briefing them on the new developments. “Marley Delfini left the resort about an hour ago. She didn’t say goodbye to Quinn, which is probably a good thing considering the threatening note she left at the penthouse suite door late last night.”

True to Henry form, he’s got a photo of the note up on the massive, boardroom screen. It’s all so much more chilling when it’s at, like, size 400 font.

Not that it’s even in a font, technically. It’s Marley’s handwriting. At least, I think it’s hers.

“Wow, Quinn. That note’s not cool,” Sophie says, and Oliver nods his head in agreement.

“I can contact a security firm in Denver to bring in some extra guards for a while if you think that would help,” Sebastian offers.

“No, that’s not necessary,” I insist right as Henry says, “Great idea. I’ll cover the costs.”

I sink my head in my hands. “You guys. I can’t accept more charity from you all, and Marley has left. I can’t wait to be able to go home and get out of your hair.”

“Please,” Oakley says. “This is important. What your family’s doing isn’t right. And I’m sorry.” She’s here without her fiancé, Alec, again.

“How well do you know Marley? Are you close?” Sebastian asks.

Close? My earliest memories involve her and me in the sandbox at their Torrence home. We wore matching sweater dresses from Grandma every Christmas until the seventh grade. She’s the first person I told when Darren Longia kissed me when I was fifteen. She took me for pedicures when I graduated high school.

One side of my mouth twitches. “We were, yes. After last night, I don’t know.”

Oliver sighs. “I’m not trying to get rid of you or anything, but maybe, now that Marley knows you’re here, you guys should find another place to go.” He holds up his palms. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need. But I wonder if you’d be safer somewhere else.”

---