Page 25 of Hiding Forever

“All four of us, plus Mercedes’s new fiancé.”

“I can’t believe she’s engaged.” She’s only twenty. “Has he seen her erupt yet?” Mercedes and her twin Bentley are three years younger than Porsha, and spoiled brats. They have hissy fits when they don’t get their way.

“He has.”

“And he’s fine with his wife-to-be acting like a toddler with attitude?” I can’t imagine any guy is cool with that kind of behavior.

“He’s like my dad—tries to please her so she’ll stop making a spectacle of herself.”

“Wow. I’m shocked.”

“You and me both. Bentley isn’t doing well. She misses the full attention of her twin and them being single together.”

The path ends where it meets a stretch of vibrant grass. I continue walking toward the wall surrounding the property.

“Engaged after three months is quick.” I’m not jealous. I just wonder what these women do to get a man on one knee so readily. “What does Gabby think?” Gabby and Porsha have been together for two years, but neither has even talked about marriage.

“You know Gabby. She’s skeptical about everything. At first, she thought Mercedes was pregnant and that’s why Aleksy proposed. Her stomach hasn’t changed or grown though, so that idea was a bust. Then she thought Mercedes lied about being pregnant to get Aleksy to propose. Now, she’s in disbelief that any guy would hitch his wagon to either of my twin sisters. With one comes the other. I give the marriage less than a year before Aleksy calls it quits and moves back to Kaliningrad.”

“I’m sure the wedding will be one hell of a party. Your stepmother must be on cloud nine.”

She rambles off something angry in French, which I don’t understand other than the wordoui. “Enough small talk. How are you really?”

“I’m hiding from social media and paparazzi. That should tell you how I’m doing.”

“I know. I’m so sorry. Justice is a shit-stick. He’ll realize what he lost, but it’ll be too late. Right?”

“Definitely, considering he’s married. But I doubt he misses me. He looks happy.”

She gasps. “You’ve been spying on his social media platforms! I told you to stay off your phone if you can’t control yourself. He’s not worth it. He gave you up, so he’s clearly dumb, and we don’t waste our time on dumb people. Especially ones who look like a truck driver in need of a haircut. Nova, shame on you.”

I release a heavy sigh. “I know. I’ve been bad.” I drop onto a bench that rests under an arch covered with bougainvillea. It backs up to the ivy-covered wall surrounding the property and is a nice private spot to chill.

“It’s okay. I know it’s hard. Call me next time you feel the urge to spy on him. I’ll remind you of how amazing you are and not to waste your time.”

“Okay.” I agree, even though I won’t. The time change would have me calling her at all hours of the night. Besides, I need to learn to control myself.

“Time has a way of changing things,” she says.

“You mean healing. Time has a way of healing things.”

“That, too, but I’m talking about changing. Give life time and change will occur. It’s inevitable.”

“You’re like an old wise lady trapped in the smokin’ hot body of a twenty-three-year-old.”

“Trapped? Hardly. I manifested this body in my previous life and vowed never to share it with a man. They’re not worthy. If only you were gay. Lesbians would be lined up for a date.”

I smile despite my depressive mood. “If only…”

“Merde. You sound worse. My wise old lady vibes aren’t working their mojo. I can leave and fly to wherever you are, if you want.”

“No. That’s not what I want. Besides, your sisters would kill me. They’re cyber bullies, and I already have enough bad publicity.”

“Stop looking at that, too. In fact, leave that to me. If I see something that needs your attention, I’ll let you know. In the meantime, stay off social media. Get a massage or have a spa day or something. Where are you, anyway?”

“Not in New York, that’s for sure.”

“You don’t want to tell me?”

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