Page 11 of A Chance at Forever
He named the figure. “Let’s go back to my office and fill out the papers. Interest rates are low right now.”
“I’m not applying for a mortgage, Jeff. I’m offering cash.”
“Cash? But, Tori…” He broke off and emitted a sheepish laugh. “I keep forgetting Lockridge Cosmetics is an international business. I guess youdohave the cash.”
Jeff tried to take her by the elbow to escort her to his car, but she shied away from him. His eyes clouded with hurt, though he kept up an easy stream of conversation on the short ride back to his office.
After he drew up the contract for the sale, Victoria signed it and wrote a check for the full amount. Jeff stared at it a moment. “Charlie will be relieved to know you bought the house.”
“I hope so. When may I move in?”
“Whenever you’d like, I assume. I’ll call Charlie and tell him I sold the house. Generally, closing, even on a cash sale, takes about two weeks, but I’ll see if I can expedite the process. The house and property are free and clear, so that should make a difference.”
Their business concluded they rose to their feet. Jeff’s warm brown gaze held hers. “How about dinner to celebrate your homecoming, Tori?”
She shook her head. “Not tonight. I’m too tired. As soon as I get to Mia’s house, I’m going to crash.”
“Sooner or later, you and I are having a serious conversation about us.”
They stepped outside the realty office. A couple of passersby recognized Victoria and stopped to offer a greeting. When she and Jeff were alone again, she said in a muffled voice, “Please, later, Jeff.”
He frowned. Something in the tone of her voice must have alerted him to the distress she felt. “What happened in New York, Tori?”
“I have to give Bud his medication,” she declared and fled across the street.
It took less than five minutes to get to Mia Houston’s house. Victoria shook with nervous apprehension as she stood on the porch and debated whether or not to ring the bell. While she could deceive her father and brothers about what happened with Alan, she knew she wouldn’t be able to deceive Mia. Her best friend would take one look at her face and simply wait for Victoria to spill her dark secret. Bud sensed her mood and sat close to her leg, staring up at her with his sympathetic doggy eyes. Emitting a sigh of resignation, she pressed the doorbell.
“Coming!” Mia called from inside the house. She pulled open the door and gaped in astonishment at Victoria. “Tori! What in the world? If you had told me you were coming, I would have picked you up at the airport in San Francisco. After we spoke the other day, you decided to visit?”
Mia wore white shorts with a checkered pink and white sleeveless blouse and her blonde hair in a ponytail. A kitchen towel hung down one shoulder and spots of flour dotted her face and hands. Victoria burst into tears.
“I know I’m covered in flour, but I don’t think I lookthatscary,” Mia joked.
Victoria choked on a sob and fell into her friend’s open arms.
Over cups of coffee and Mia’s scrumptious lemon bars, the story of the sex video Alan had sent her poured out of Victoria. Mia never cursed, but as she listened to Victoria, unladylike expletives punctuated their conversation. When she suggested gelding Alan, Victoria hiccoughed and let out a strangled laugh.
“Tori, I’m so sorry. Look, I know you’re hurt and humiliated, but are you going to allow Alan to get away with what he did?”
“Mia, I did something stupid. I paid Alan off to keep the video to himself.”
Her deep blue eyes darkened with concern. “I wish you had told me about this sooner, Tori. Together we could have found a better solution. Alan doesn’t strike me as the kind of man who will keep his word.”
“I didn’t know what else to do.”
Mia patted Victoria’s hand. “Everything will be okay, I promise. So, how long are you staying in Marysville?”
“Forever. I bought the McFarlands’ place on Lake Ellis.”
A wide grin split Mia’s pretty face. “Oh, Tori, I’m so happy! Jonica and I have missed you more than I can say. Let’s call her right now with the good news.”
*
At sunset, Jonica,Mia, their husbands, and Victoria sat around the Houstons’ pool with bottles of beer and wine. A cool summer breeze floated down from the mountains and perfumed the air. Bud lay at Victoria’s feet.
“To lifelong friends.” Jonica raised her wine glass. The others followed suit, and their glasses clinked in the fading sunlight.
Steve took a swig of his beer and smiled at Victoria. “I’m glad you’re home for good. Now I can downgrade our cell phone plan.” He winked.
