Page 138 of Perfect Mess

Janet moved in for another hug. When she finally released me, a slow smile crept over her face. “Whatever it takes?”

A slow frown crept over mine. “Well, I mean …”

“Well, you can start by buying me a cider at FoxPaw.” Janet’s devious smile only widened.

“You liked Mike’s cider that much?”

“Among other things.” Janet’s smile grew wider still.

Before I could question Janet further, Ralph and Gary returned from the kitchen, carrying our cups of tea. “Did you show her the pictures too?” asked Ralph.

“Pictures?”

The four of us gathered around Janet’s phone. “Remember Jack’s trip to Mexico?”

On Janet’s screen was a picture of a Pina Colada with a pink lip print on the edge, a shade of pink that looked very familiar. The same shade I saw on Jack’s lips at the race. That wasn’t all, though. Beside the Pina Colada was a second drink, with a very distinctive blue hue.

“Is that a …” My voice trailed off, the reality of what I was seeing sinking in.

“A Blue Hawaiian,” Janet finished. “Jack’s favorite drink. There are more pictures too. Tagged to a resort in Cancun. Posted on the same days Jack said he was going to that medical conference in Mexico.”

“Jack posted pictures of himself having fun in Cancun after he told you he would be working the whole time?” I scrolled through more pictures. “Not very bright, is he?”

“Jack didn’t post them.”

“He didn’t?” I looked up at Janet, confused.

“You want to guess who posted them?”

I had a feeling I already knew. “Ashley Griffin.”

I stared at Janet’s phone as she scrolled through picture after picture of white sand and clear blue ocean, fancy drinks and selfies of Ashley lounging by the pool in a barely there bikini.

It took me a moment to absorb everything that Janet was telling me, and what I saw on Janet’s phone.

I braced myself for Janet’s inevitable meltdown. But she didn’t melt down. Surprisingly, she looked like she was entirely sane and stable. Miraculously, she looked calm.

“Janet, what did you do?”

Another sly smile formed on Janet’s lips. “You know that Carrie Underwood song,Before He Cheats?”

I couldn’t help but smile myself. “You didn’t.”

Janet shrugged her shoulders. “I sorta did. Except instead of a truck, it was a BMW. That reminds me, Ralph, do you know any good property damage lawyers?”

ChapterThirty-Three

The ass stood in the middle of the road, munching on a tuft of grass poking up out of the dirt. It lifted its head and stared at us. It never stopped chewing.

“Look.” Gary stopped and pointed.

“Can I pet it?” Kyle asked.

Janet and I had already stopped. That was on purpose. We were both wearing long dresses and high heels. Not exactly the kind of outfit you would want to be wearing if you found yourself in a situation where you had to run for your life. If the ass charged, we were going to need a head start.

“Careful,” I warned. “It might have rabies. Or get drool on your suits.” I wondered if the color red made all farm animals want to charge at you, or if that only applied to bulls. Gary’s tie was the same shade of red as my dress.

Undeterred, Gary walked right up and patted the animal’s head while Kyle stroked its fur along the side.

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