Page 35 of Like You Love Me

“Oh my God,” Debra said, finding her voice. She stopped chopping long enough to say, “What are you doing about him?”

“I don’t know. I was caught so off guard I yelled at him. But I know I can’t keep ignoring him. I must at some point either decide or tell London.”

Debra stuttered but failed to string together a cohesive sentence.

“I know. You don’t have to say it.” Bianca blew out a long breath. She knew it was just a matter of time. London needed to know the truth.

Debra reached for a green pepper and sliced it in half while a frown tugged at her full lips. “You gotta do something. I hate to see it all backfire.”

Bianca groaned. “I know, and if London finds out, he will kill someone. I just need to make sure that person isn’t me.”

“London loves you too much for that.”

Bianca tsk-tsked her. “True, but my husband is going to be pissed. I was pissed when I saw his smug face in the gymnasium acting as if he belonged.”

“If he’s the drama teacher, he does belong.” Debra’s eyes narrowed as she looked up from the hand guiding the knife. “Of all of the schools in the state, how did he end up at hers?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Debra waved the knife. “And when did he become a teacher? I thought he was in the military?”

“He was, but he didn’t reenlist or was kicked out.” She waved her hands dismissively. “I don’t know. I just know he went back to school and now works in Sheraton Beach.” She closed her eyes long enough to shake her head. “He’s with my daughter every day. Who’s to say he doesn’t just tell her the truth?”

“Okay, so let’s think about this for a moment.”

“What’s there to think about? He asked me to talk to London and tell her the truth. He wants us to be the bad guys and break that news to her. London is going to be furious.”What if my marriage can’t survive this kind of drama?

“Damn him. I never did like that guy.” Debra muttered, then slammed the blade down so hard, Bianca took a moment to imagine the onion was Collins’ head.

“This is a nightmare. Collin made sure I knew he is married with two kids whom he would like Sierra to get to know.” Bianca dropped her forehead into her hand and said, “He’s making this hard for me.”

“Are you thinking about letting him see her?”

“I don’t know,” she said, lifting her head. “I spoke with my attorney.”

Debra studied Bianca in shrewd silence before saying, “And what did he say?”

“Collin signed over parental rights, but that doesn’t mean he still won’t tell her the truth. We could sue him, but what will it matter? The damage will already be done,” she added with a sniff.

“Are you crying?”

Bianca scowled and dabbed at her eyes. “No, it’s those blasted onions.”

Debra chuckled as she carried the vegetables over to the stove. “I think you need to say something to London.”

“I already know what he is going to say. I just need to first decide if I agree or not.” Bianca sucked in a lung full of air and let it out slowly.

“So, you think you might be considering letting that bastard be a part of her life?” Debra turned to study her, and the firm set of her lips made Bianca want to squirm.

“I don’t want to, but he does have a point.” Bianca glanced over her shoulder before she whispered, “Sheishis biological daughter.”

“Yes, but he didn’t want to have anything to do with her,” Debra pointed out in a low voice. “Instead, he wanted money to line his pocket.”

“I don’t think it’s about the money anymore.” While Debra poured olive oil into a pan, Bianca repeated what Collin had told her in the gym. “He seems different.”

“You believe that?” Her best friend looked skeptical.

“Not really. But he did send me a check for ten thousand dollars to see his daughter.”

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