Page 84 of The B!tch List

“No, Belinda, I wouldn’t do that to you.” As much as Don Jennings didn’t deserve it after the shit he tried to pull with Ruthie.

“Okay then.” Belinda pulled me in for a hug. “Early congratulations, Nancy. I’ll shoot and leave you to it.”

We said our goodbyes and then I was left alone with my dream. It seemed a little empty and sad. I was sure though that the excitement would come, once I’d got over Shaw.

I’d been measuring the different rooms and making notes for about an hour when I heard footsteps in the main room.

“Hello,” I shouted, moving back to the doorway and wishing I’d locked up after Belinda left. I wasn’t one for the dramatic but whoever it was might be wanting to rob the place.

“Hey, Nancy.”

I sighed with relief when I saw it was Bronte. “Oh hey, thank goodness it’s you.”

“I’m sorry, did you think that it was Shaw?”

I hadn’t but now that she mentioned it. “Just worried it was someone wanting to rob me.”

“I guess even that’s better than my brother at the moment.”

“You heard then?”

She nodded and putting her purse down on the floor came over to me. “He’s so sorry, Nancy. He really didn’t mean it you know.”

“He said it though.” I replied, feeling a tightness in my chest.

“I think he thought it was a joke of sorts.” She reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “He’s miserable.”

I shrugged. “Well so am I.”

“You don’t have to be,” she said with the corner of her mouth lifting into a smile. “You could give him another chance and then make him pay for the rest of his life.”

I laughed quietly because she did have a point. I just wasn’t sure I’d ever trust that Shaw truly liked me.

“This place is looking good though,” Bronte said, looking around the room.

“It looks the same as when we viewed it.” I rolled my eyes. “It is great though, Bronte, and I wouldn’t have done this without you pushing me.”

“I’m just glad you had faith in yourself. In any case,” she said, nudging me. “I took Rett out of Mrs. Baker’s, so you’ll need to get up and running soon.”

“Bronte, we haven’t even finalized the contract yet.”

“But you will. When you start signing kids up don’t forget Ellie and I want to be the first ones.”

“Is that going to be a race too.”

“That is one I’m winning. You know we both got the same due date, right?”

“I heard. Lily told me.” I pulled her in for a hug. “Whoever wins that race, I’m happy for you both.”

She beamed at me and while Bronte was naturally beautiful all the time, she certainly was glowing.

“Anyways,” she said stooping to pick up her purse. “I should go. I need to get to Mom and Dad’s.”

“Will you tell your dad that I’ll go over to his office tomorrow to sort out the final paperwork.”

Bronte nodded and then frowned. “He’s working from home today and then having a few days off. It may be better if you go over to the house. I think he said he’d be free at about ten.”

I wasn’t sure about that. It might mean bumping into Shaw.

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