Page 37 of Perdition
As much as you’re hurting right now, he’s your husband, your forever—and you deserve an explanation.
Grunting and rolling her eyes at her own inner voice, Em muttered, “Ugh, I hate it when you’re right.”
She’d call him tomorrow—and if he didn’t answer, which had become habit with him over the last several months—she’d kick his ass!
It didn’t take long to get to the shop from Cheri’s place, and once she parked her SUV and slid out, she was immediately hit with a dread so fierce, her breath caught, and she nearly stumbled into the side of her car.
Taking a deep breath, she blinked, righted herself, and slowly made her way through the glass door with the OPEN sign front and center.
As soon as the door opened and Em stepped inside, she understood the dread.
Sarah.
That womanwas standing in the middle of the shop, her arms crossed over her chest, which was pushed up and out thanks to her youth and whatever miraculous bra she’d put on that morning.
Probably after rolling out of an Unchained bed.
Before Em could turn around and walk the hell out—forget dealing with her bullshit—Sarah turned and pinned her narrow blue eyes on Em.
And Em immediately knew Sarah wasn’t there to order flowers.
“Took you long enough,” Sarah sneered, huffing as she rolled her eyes.
What a fucking brat.
Ignoring the woman for as long as she could, she turned toward the back of the shop, past the fridges that held the ready-made bouquets, and past the displays of local handmade vases she was selling on consignment.
Tina was standing at the counter, her eyes wide as she took in the scene. Concern flashed over her face as her gaze flicked back to and stayed on Emily.
“Tina,” she called, a soft smile on her lips, “go ahead and clock out. I’ll lock up once I’m done here.”
Tina furrowed her brows. “Are you sure?” Her gaze flicked back to a glaring Sarah, who hadn’t bothered taking her eyes from Em, as if she was waiting for Emily to pounce on her.
If she were anyone else, she would have, but she was—at the very least—a woman of class, especially in her place of business.
“Okay,” Tina replied hesitantly. “By the way, Officer Copper stopped by again. Asked after you.”
At hearing that name, her mind conjured an image of the younger man, sexy and all-American, and flirtatious. Harmless.
He often stopped by her shop while he was patrolling in the area…and sometimes when he wasn’t. She enjoyed his attention, but she knew she’d never go there with him.
She couldn’t. She was married.
Didn’t stop your husband from fucking around with Sarah….
But he hadn’t gone that far…right?
Terrifying enough, she felt like, in that moment, the answer was going to hit her like an oak tree pulled up by the roots during a tornado.
Forcing a smile, Em waved at Tina. “Thanks for letting me know.” She waited until Tina grabbed her purse from the back office and headed toward the door. “See you tomorrow.”
Tina turned, relief on her face. “Glad to hear you’re coming in. Today was easy but I can’t imagine what would have happened if there was a dahlia emergency, and you weren’t here to deal with it.”
Em chuckled, remembering their last dahlia emergency—the bride for a local wedding wanted dahlia’s but what she really wanted was tulips, but they’d already ordered ten dozen dahlias—and said, “No worries. Today was enough for me. I’ll be here to open tomorrow.”
Tina nodded, cast one last warily curious glance at Sarah, then headed out for the night.
Once the door swung shut behind Tina, Sarah jumped in with both feet.
