Page 37 of Mic Drop

I allow myself to wallow in this mess for a minute, then shake my head. “I promise to contact you if something else comes up.”

Jeremy stands. “Thank you for your time. I know the readers ofRecord Newsare interested in hearing about this web you’re caught up in, no pun intended.”

I half smile. “Please keep in touch.”

After escorting Jeremy to the door, I return to Court’s office and open a text from Kara.

Back from taking Ma to the grocery store, and now she’s resting. Please call me if anything changes.

Will do. Thanks.

Kara and I have become a lot closer since this ordeal with Ma started. We’re still not what I would call “close,” but we’ve graduated to texting every few days, with sporadic phone calls in between. I appreciate the fact she took on the brunt of Ma’s early diagnosis, but I’m not leaving Aroostook anytime soon. I plan on being here for Ma. Until she won’t need me.

Court walks into the office. “How’d it go with the reporter?”

“Jeremy was nice. Pretty thorough. He seemed to understand Lissa is lying, but without any proof, his hands are tied.”

“What about the graffiti?”

“On that, we’re in total alignment. I’m not a ‘Black Widow,’ and I’m not trying to break up the band. I told him all about Michelle and how we think she’s behind it. Let’s see what he publishes about it.”

“With any luck, he’ll out her and she’ll lose her pathetic job.”

“Amen.” My conscience pings. “If only she would go away and leave me in peace. I didn’t set out to hurt her. I don’t know why she has her sights set on me.”

“Well, maybe because you’re a successful businesswoman and she’s not. Then there’s the fact you’re dating a famous rock star who wouldn’t give her the time of day.”

I rub the naked ring finger on my left hand. I’ve known Court for years, and I trust her. I need to share my secret with someone who isn’t related to me. “We’re more than dating.”

“What do you mean?” She pulls back, notices my hand movements, and her eyes round. “No way! Are you?”

“I am.”

She screams and rushes to me, pulling me up to my feet as she hugs me. “You lucky bitch! I’ve only glimpsed the man a couple of times in here for therapy, and he is one fine gift to the world.”

I giggle at her description of my fiancé. “He sure is.”

“When’s the big day?”

I hold up my left hand. “Getting ahead of yourself? I need a ring first, don’t you think?”

“That can be fixed in an afternoon.” She beams at me, and I absorb the happy vibes. They’re so far and few between these days.

“Besides,” I sigh. “Nothing can happen for a while. I have to spend time with Ma.” Despite Bennett saying she could celebrate with us.

Court directs me toward the sofa and we sit. “I’m sure you’ll know when the time is right. Oh Jenna, you’re either on a high or a low. I’m so sorry things are like this.”

“Me, too.” I shake my head to clear it. “Enough about all this. How are our numbers doing?”

Court glances out the window. “Still about the same.”

“Meaning way too many cancellations. I think we need to do something bigger. After all, Bennett has this massive Lissa problem, and Ma’s holding her own for the moment. What do you say we contact UC’s PR team and get them on it?”

“I say we can use all the help possible.”

“No time like the present.” I pull up Luke’s text with the contact card. Patting the sofa, I say, “Stay with me. My mind’s too scattered. In this case, I’m thinking the more help I can get, the better.”

A few minutes later we’re talking with Hayden Vaughn, the PR person assigned to help us. We fill her in on the graffiti on the building and the sidewalks. “Are these spiders cartoon-like, or more realistic?”

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