Page 22 of Pretend for Me

“Yes!” Audrey screamed, falling off the bed in the process and onto Oreo’s tail. “Ow.”Meow!

“Cassie.” Bridget was full-out pleading at this point.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Audrey’s mishap and Bridget’s obvious discomfort. “So I want a little setup by the hostess station where people can purchase a small drawing. And I want a bigger canvas to be displayed somewhere in the restaurant. Don’t worry. I’ll give you a ten percent commission on any sales. It’s only fair,” I reasoned. “That’s all.”

Silence. Nothing but silence came from the other end of the line. Little old me had rendered Bridget speechless, which was definitely a rarity.

I waited for her response. There was nothing else for me to do. I had stated my requirements. If Bridget wanted me back so badly, she’d give into my outrageous demands. I was fully aware the chances of Bridget going along with all of them were slim to none, but it sure felt good to make her squirm.

Audrey motioned to the bottle of water I had on the nightstand, wordlessly asking if she could have a sip. I nodded, setting the drawing down on my desk.

A minute or so passed before a terse word came through. “Fine.” Bridget spoke so softly I almost missed it.

“Excuse me?” I asked, just wanting to hear the confirmation again.

“I said fucking fine!” Bridget choked out, “I’ll see you Monday morning in the main dining room.” Bridget quickly hung up the phone.

Audrey was mid-sip and started choking on the water. I was too stunned to help my friend. Wow! I did it! Then the realization sunk in that I’d be going back to a job that I didn’t really love, working for someone who was often cruel, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was worth it.

“A little help?” Audrey croaked out.

I gently patted her on the back. “There, there.”

We started laughing, basking in this small win. I had won for once.

12

MATTHEW

“You know I’m surprised you agreed to come to the museum with me. You never have time for me anymore. You’re always pretending to be Mr. Fancy Pants, or you’re home with the mutt,” Charlie ranted as we crossed the street. “You’re my favorite brother! And I miss you,” she said, cheekily, taking another bite of the bagel she made me buy her.

“Charlie, I’m sorry. You know work has been nuts. Wyatt is riding my ass.” I did feel bad. Since we were kids, I felt somewhat responsible for Charlotte. Knowing how we grew up, I wanted her to know she had somebody consistent in her corner.

“Yeah yeah. Come on, we are going to be late,” Charlie chided, practically pulling me down the street.

“Why are we going to the museum again? What subject do you have a project for that would need art inspiration?” I inquired. I knew Charlie wasn’t taking art as an elective. I knew because I was the person who helped her pick most of her classes.

“I’ll … umm have to do little research for a paper. It’s for my … Spanish class. She wants us to understand the beauty ofart regardless of a language barrier.” She stammered, wiping her cream-cheese-covered fingers on a napkin.

She was lying. I knew her well enough. “Charlotte, are you sure?—”

Just as I was about to question her, my phone rang. It was Wyatt. I groaned and answered hesitantly. “Hello.” I braced myself to have my ass handed to me.

“Matthew, why the fuck aren’t you in the office?” Wyatt screamed through the phone. “Is this how I raised you to slack off?”

Fuck. “I’m working from home today. I’m having all my calls forwarded to my phone,” I explained. It was a half-truth. Sure, I was having my calls forwarded to my cell. But truth was I was slacking. I knew it, Wyatt knew it.

Seeing Cassie had made me question my path in more ways than one. I’d been unhappy with not just my job, but my life for some time now. Change was coming.

“Matthew, walk faster.” Charlie snapped me out of my thoughts. “Is this what happens with age?” Charlie wondered and rolled her eyes.

“Who the hell is that?” Wyatt demanded. “I give you a job—no, a legacy—on a silver platter and look at you, ready to fuck it up.”

“I’m not fucking up,” I countered, grateful he couldn’t see my eye roll. “I just need some time. I have a lot on my mind.”

“Figure your shit out, Matthew. I’m surrounded by enough incompetency without adding you to the mix.” Wyatt hung up before I even had a chance to respond.

I pocketed my phone and hurried to catch up to Charlie. Wyatt would just have to get over my failings on his own.

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