Page 71 of The B!tch List

She hadn’t texted me back after my last one, but I figured she was over thinking it. That meant as well as giving her the good news I was also going to suggest we call a truce and actually start being nice to each other. Outside of the bedroom as well as inside.

Maybe it was becoming a father that had changed my feelings toward Nancy. Maybe it was being the father of a daughter. Because let’s face it what father would want their daughter to be some douche’s fuck buddy. The thing was I wasn’t a douche, and she certainly was worthy of being much more.

When I got to her apartment block, I ignored the elevator and ran up the stairs, feeling energized by my day. Tia and I had played in the yard and then I’d taken her to the park at the end of our street and met up with Carter and Rhett. Apparently, my sister was lying with her feet in the air because it could help her to get pregnant. I had no damn clue what he was talking about so nodded, smiled and pushed Tia on the baby swing.

Smiling at the memory of the fun we’d had, when I reached the fire door to the Nancy’s floor, I pulled it open with enthusiasm and was…immediately deflated.

Minnesota fucking Michaels was coming out of her apartment. My heart missed a beat when I saw him, but when he then turned and hugged her tightly and for too fucking long, I felt like it had dropped to my boots. Not wanting to watch their inevitable goodbye kiss I left, realizing that was why she hadn’t texted me back. She’d been reconnecting with Minnesota, and I hated the thought of it more than I’d imagined possible.

It appeared that I had a lot to thank Shaw for because according to the call I’d had from Belinda, Mr. Jennings had reconsidered the bids and would like to go with me. I tried to call Shaw to find out what I should do, because a part of me wanted to lower my bid now that I knew how low Ruthie had bid. He didn’t answer my calls or text messages though, which made me think we were back to hating each other. It kind of proved it when I got an email from him,as my legal representative. It pretty much told me what Belinda had but advised me to stick with the original bid which was competitive and fair. It said under no circumstances should I get into conversation with Mr. Jennings about the amount and not to go a cent higher, even if he asked.

I’d been excited about everything and wanted to share it with him and thank him, but clearly, he didn’t have the same desire. So, I simply replied with a thank you and that I’d let him know once Mr. Jennings had contacted me in person and that I’d managed to secure a contractor as per Shaw’s advice.

It was all so damn confusing. He was confusing what with his flirty messages which I admit I ducked out of because I got side-tracked. Once I was able to give them my attention again it felt a bit weird as almost five hours had passed. I just figured we’d get back to it in person when I next saw him. Plus, that lack of confidence that I suffered from kicked in. I was worried that he’d been messing with me and would laugh at me if I responded how I wanted to i.e., by telling him exactly what I wanted him to do to me in bed. And it appeared that I was right. He had been messing with me because there’d been nothing since.

Now, it was weekend again and Melinda and Henry had organized a cookout in their back yard and Ellie had invited me. When I pulled up on their driveway, I was beginning to second guess my outfit of cute jean shorts and a floaty boho blouse. I’d originally left enough buttons open on the blouse so that there was a great view of my cleavage, but as I turned off my car engine, I did a couple of them back up again. I’d dressed for Shaw, and I couldn’t believe how stupid I’d been to do so.

When I walked around back clutching two bottles of wine, I found everyone else was already there making me feel a little self-conscious. I hated being the last to arrive, but it wasn’t surprising since I’d only decided at the last moment that I was still going to come because ‘damn Shaw Jackson, who cares if you hate me again.’. Yep, clearly, I did.

“Nancy,” Henry called, as he spotted me. “Come on in.”

I walked over to him trying not to let my eyes wander around the garden and look for Shaw.

“Hey, Henry.” I offered him the two bottles and smiled. “I hope this is okay, I wasn’t sure what to bring.”

He took them from me. “You didn’t need to bring anything. Didn’t Ellie give you the message?”

“She did but I couldn’t come empty handed.”

“Well thank you.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Go grab a cold one from the kitchen. I think Ellie is in there with Bronte and Lily.”

I nodded and wandered across the lawn to the house, waving to the group of family and friends gathered. There was a table of salads and other delicious looking stuff and one with a host of different uncooked meats, all covered in Saran wrap ready to be grilled. They’d certainly gone all out for a weekend family cookout. There were various chairs and a couple of bean bags dotted around and everyone seemed to be feeling relaxed. When I spotted Jefferson with Kitty sitting on his knee, I couldn’t help but smile. They looked so in love, and it was just wonderful to see. What I could also see was how spectacular that engagement ring truly was in the daylight. I’d taken a good look at it when I’d said goodnight to them at the party, but the sun practically blinded me as it shone off the gorgeous emerald.

“Hey, guys,” I greeted them as I passed them.

“Nancy, sweetheart.” Darcy jumped up and hugged me tightly. “I’m so glad you came. I hear that the bank is back on.”

“It is,” I replied, trying not to look to my right where I’d spotted Shaw sitting talking to Carter and Hunter. “Thanks to Shaw.”

What the hell was wrong with me? Just saying his name made me feel nervous and now I felt like Ihadto look at him. What sort of idiot was I?

“Hey, Shaw.” Damn it. I looked and had to say hello. And oh shit, he looked hot in board shorts and a tight tee. And yes…damnit my eyes had to go there didn’t they, right to his crotch where his beautiful penis lay bulging.

“Nancy.” He nodded.

That was it.He nodded. Hefucking nodded. I was admiring his penis and henodded. I’d almost unbuttoned half my blouse for him, and henoddedlike he’d never had his dick in my vagina. What was wrong with the man?

“Well, I for one am glad it’s not going to be some strange bar with half-naked men,” Darcy said, forcing me to tear my eyes away from her douchebag son.

“I don’t know,” Melinda sighed. “I’m glad for you, Nancy, but I quite liked the idea of some buff, topless young men serving me cocktails.”

“Yeah, it was kind of an exciting thought.” Kitty screeched and then started to giggle as Jefferson tickled her sides. “Okay, okay, it was a joke.”

“Oh gosh,” Darcy said with a roll of her eyes. “I think that means we’re going to have to watch them making out again.”

“For Pete’s sake, Jefferson,” Melinda added, slapping at his arm with the back of her hand. “Leave the woman alone.”

When Jefferson then took Kitty’s face in his hands and kissed her both Darcy and Melinda gave dreamy sighs.

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