Page 14 of Legal

“All right, damn. No need to snap at me. Just trying to help.”

I took a deep breath. I didn’t think I’d snapped, but I wasn’t going to get into an arguing match with him. “You know what would be a big help? If you’re going near the donation center, I’d appreciate you dropping some of these things off for me.” Bags of clothes were lined up against the wall, along with tall boxes filled with games and assorted junk that was sorely in need of a new home.

“Uh, sorry. My car will already be crowded with my stuff, and I’m not planning on going to the center anytime soon.”

I glanced out the window, spotting the reason for his crowded car. It was a wonder that Mike could even fit, what with the big, fat, gelatinous lips filling up space in the front seat like two red balloons. How the hell did he kiss those things?

Stop it, Jillian. I was taking over Perry’s job. One of her roles as best friend, as she would say, was to be bitchy and catty when situations warranted so I could be mature and gracious.

Who cared if my ex-husband had a girlfriend within five minutes of us separating? Not me. Not when I had a superfriend who did awesome things like leave me sticky notes saying,Friends don’t let friends inflate their lips to the size of a bicycle tire, andDid you hear the news?They had to create a new zip code, just for Candace’s mouth.

“I can come back a different day. You shouldn’t have to do it all yourself. I’m sure the majority of it’s Daniel’s.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.” I picked up my purse and fished out my keys. “I’m sure you’re busy. Thanks for stopping over.” I checked the time. I needed to be heading out too.

“Sure.” He stacked his boxes and picked them up, and I opened the door for him. “Jillian, you sure you’re doing okay? I mean, with Daniel being gone and you in this house….”

“All alone,” I finished for him. “Yes, we’ve established that, Mike. Over and over. I may be the only one living in this house, but I’m far from lonely. I appreciate the concern, but it’s time to give it a rest once and for all.”

“All right.” He stepped onto the porch. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will. Thank you. And next time, tell Candace she doesn’t have to hide in the car.” Over a year now and she still barely looked me in the eye. Made her look guilty, if you asked me.

“She has a slight headache.”

“Right.”Bullshit.

“And you know, it’s a little awkward for her.”

Poor baby. “A little air will be good for her headache, but just be careful not to roll the whole window down. I wouldn’t want her head floating away.” Too high an altitude and her lips might pop.

“What?”

“Never mind.” It was best to just end this conversation now before I said something more. Something that would end up being the very antithesis of mature and gracious.

Perry could be such a bitch sometimes.

At the last minute, I decided to pull over and walk the rest of the way to Miller Park. Why pay twenty bucks to drive into the lot when I could enjoy this beautiful day? Regular exercise was something I needed badly. Another goal: Move my ass more.

I joined the dozens of others doing the same thing, and we strolled up Gen Mitchell, past the creepy cemetery that freaked the shit out of me when I was younger. One of my friends lived across the street, and we used to dare each other to sneak in at night and see who could last the longest. I don’t think I ever fully recovered from that.

I went under the viaduct and across the street into the parking lot. Now, I just had to find Stephen’s truck.

“Jills!” Perry found me first. “You’re even earlier than I thought!”

She ran up in her teeny shorts and frilly tee, looking adorable. I felt a little frumpy in my longer shorts and oversized shirt, but hey, I was comfortable.

“Yeah, Mike stopped by sooner than expected. He walked right in, just like he still owns the place.”

“Asshole.” She grabbed my arm, and we weaved through the smoking grills, ducking under flying footballs. “You really should get those locks changed. Did he have Bubble Lips with him?”

I nodded. “But she stayed in the car.”

“Of course she did. The little skanky other woman should hide her face from you.”

“She’s not the other woman anymore. And we don’t know that she ever was. Suspicions don’t equal fact.” Why the hell was I defending her? Oh, right, because I was the mature and gracious one.

Perry rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Jills. You’re much better off now, anyway.” She squeezed my arm. “I’m glad you’re here.”

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