Page 34 of The Monster I Loved
“I heard you were back and causing havoc,” Brit said when she realized who she was talking to. She didn’t sound too ruffled to hear my voice.
Taking a deep sigh, I said, “Let’s meet for lunch at the Greek restaurant on the corner of Broadway and Main Street.”
She didn’t even hesitate before answering. “Lunch with me? Why? Aren’t you engaged to the lawyer girl?” Brit asked, then paused. “If this is about the building, my father is the one who’s in charge, not me. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
The corners of my mouth twitched. “Like you said, I’ve been back for a while, and we haven’t caught up. Meet me in an hour?”
Silence.
“Make it dinner,” she said. “I’m in Manhattan shopping and will be back later.”
“See you at seven,” I said.
I hung up the phone and called my father to float the idea of changing my bride-to-be. Although I couldn’t see his face, I could picture it clearly.
“You can’t change brides after I’ve publicly announced your engagement. What are you thinking?” he snapped.
I kept my voice even. “I’m thinking that Brit’s family is way more useful than Melissa’s. It’s a good business decision.”
Silence stretched for a moment on the other end of the phone. I almost checked to ensure he hadn’t hung up on me.
“Do not do anything stupid,” he warned.
I grinned. My priority was winning. We wanted the same thing. Being with Brit gave us a better chance. Her family weren’t just millionaires. They were rich-rich.
Inside the family-owned restaurant,I sat near a window and watched cars pass along Broadway. The pleasant aroma of grilled lamb, oregano, and warm pitas made me hungry and eager for Brit to arrive. I glanced around the restaurant andsmiled; it still had the same blue and white tiles lining the walls. It was nice to see that not everything had changed while I was gone.
Henry called while I sat waiting for Brit.
“I’ve moved out,” he said.
“What? Why?” I tilted my head.
“Ashley’s going to file for full custody,” Henry croaked.
An uncomfortable silence passed until he spoke again. “I need to put my best foot forward.”
My chest tightened at the hurt in his voice. “I can help...”
“In the eyes of the court, living with you wouldn’t look good.” His voice wobbled.
I finally grasped what he was saying without actually saying it. Living with a convicted murderer wouldn’t look good. Now wasn’t the time for my feelings. I’d do anything to help Henry get custody. I understood Ashley was mad, but they’d been sharing Wylie all these years, and there was no damn reason they couldn’t continue. He was right. Henry was a good dad, and I’d do anything I could to help him.
“I get it. No worries. Just let me know if you need anything. I’m here.”
Just as he hung up, I noticed Brit exiting a black SUV. When she entered the restaurant, everyone’s jaws dropped. She was always the kind who acted too big for the small town of Tarrytown.
“Hi, beautiful.” I stood to greet her, kissing her on the cheek.
She sat in the chair I held out for her, looked up at me, and smiled. “What do you want?”
“Huh? Why do you think I want something?”
Brit rolled her eyes and looked me up and down. We’d known each other too long to lie, so I laid my cards on the table. “Even though your father makes the decision about the Starlight property, you underestimate your power of influence.”
She nodded.
I looked at her closely for a moment. “I need him to withdraw his offer.”
