Page 60 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming
“Patrick’s money all goes to Courtney. Everything goes to her. Sheila is not his wife, so she gets nothing. She knows that being married to Patrick comes with more than just a change of last name. It comes with status and access to his wealth. She’s his child’s mother, and you’re closer to the brass ring than she is,” Lyric points out.
“More like a wedding ring,” Suchi teases.
“That part.” Lyric nods.
There’s a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Aimee answers.
A bookstore employee named Olly opens the door. “We’re ready for you, Dr. Turner.”
“Thank you.” Aimee smiles.
Olly smiles back and exits.
As the ladies head for the door, Bridget chimes in, “If she goes too far, you want us to jump her, Aims?”
“I’ll definitely keep you posted.” Aimee nods.
Three hours later,Aimee is signing the last few people’s books and taking pictures with readers, while her girls all film her on their respective phones. They’re each getting a different angle. That way Aimee can edit all the footage from the Q&A and the signing before posting everything on her social media.
She takes the book from the last person in line and asks, “Thank you for coming. Who should I make this out to?”
“Make it out to Sheila.”
Aimee looks up, and Sheila’s smirking at her.
Great.Now what the fuck is this about?
“How can I help you?” Aimee asks flatly.
“You can sign my book and then stay away from Patrick.”
Aimee’s friends stop filming and surround her.
“I’ll sign your book, but that second thing is not happening,” Aimee replies.
“Look, I don’t know who you are, but I’ve been in that man’s life for twelve years. I should get to be his wife, not you.”
“‘I should get to be hiswife?’ Jesus, it’s not like Aimee cut in front of you in line. The man’s not a merry-go-round.” Lyric rolls her eyes.
“Am I talking to you?” Sheila sneers.
“Do I look like I give a shit?” Lyric snaps back.
“It’s okay, L. I got this,” Aimee says.
“You don’t have shit, and you’re not going to have shit. You can’t disrupt our family. I won’t allow it.”
“I’m not disrupting anything. Patrick wants me. Not you. You need to get that through that cheap-ass wig down into your skull and let that shit marinate in your brain for a while. You’re being extra as hell for a man that doesn’t even want you.” Aimee shakes her head.
“He wanted me before, and he’ll want me again. This isn’t going to end with you two walking down the aisle.”
“Who said anything about marriage? Why do you keep bringing that up?” Aimee rolls her eyes.
“I’m not foolish. I know what I saw, and I see where this is going. I noticed how you two were looking at each other before you started sucking his dick in the garden.”
Aimee’s face heats up with embarrassment and rage.
