Page 79 of My Totally Unfair Deal

“Why is that any of your business?”

“Because I’m trying to figure out if I’ve been unwittingly aiding villains this entire time, and I need to know.”

“Um…” She waves down the bartender. “I don’t think you should give this guy another ounce. He’s losing it.”

“I’m not.”

“What’s her name?” She smiles, knowingly. “How long has it been since she dumped you?”

“I’ve never been dumped by anyone.”

“She must’ve really had a hold on you.” She presses a hand against my shoulder. “It’s going to be alright. It took me twenty relationships to get with the guy I’m with now, and we love and cherish each other like you wouldn’t believe.”

So I have been the villain this entire time…

“Want to talk about what makes a great relationship?” she says.

“No.” I pull out the contract from my pocket and grab her drink, downing it for myself. “I want to talk about how you need to run fast as hell from this guy and file a claim to get everything that you’ve paid for back.”

“Huh?”

“Just hear me out…”

FORTY-ONE

HARRISON

Afew hours later, I step out of my car and walk into the shiny building that houses S&HP. Taking the elevator to the fiftieth floor, I step inside my client’s office.

“Did you break up with my girlfriend yet?” he asks, barely looking up from his phone. “She’s still bugging me about Bora Bora, so let me know if I need to file a restraining order.”

“I’m here to give you a refund.” I drop the envelope—and the unsigned contract—on his desk. “You’ll need to end things with her yourself.”

He blinks. “What?” He shuts the door. “That’s literally why I keep you on retainer.”

“You can take me off now,” I say. “I’m letting you go as a client—effective immediately.”

“It better be because you’re going out of business.”

“No. It’s because you’re a terrible fucking person.” I level my gaze at him. “And I’m just now seeing the light.”

He scoffs. “Today must be April Fool’s Day. That’s the only reason you’d be standing in here, lecturing me about morality.”

I don’t respond. I don’t need to.

I’ve already decided the next call I make won’t be to a client.

It’ll be to someone who still deserves to hear the truth.

Even if she never wants to hear it from me again.

FORTY-TWO

ELIZA

“Might I just say—this is the most beautiful resort I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in,” a woman gushes at the front desk.

I don’t even bother looking up. I’d recognize her accent anywhere—West Side, New York.

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