Page 56 of The Layover

“Ooh, idea.” Carly’s face lit up. “If Curtis is so infatuated with proving… I don’t know. Whatever. We could tile it with his—”

“Don’t say his entrails.” I didn’t know where my suggestion came from, but I was filled with both horror and justice at the concept.

The disgust and horror that crossed Carly’s face was reasonable, but not as potent as I expected. “Eww.” She wrinkled her nose. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. I told you not to say that.” I wasn’t the bad guy here.

She stuck out her tongue. “I was going to say we could tile it with his and my divorce papers. Eww. Seriously.”

“She’s right. There’s something wrong with you.” Diego’s tone was playful rather than accusatory.

And it wasn’t as though I was suggesting doing that. I was saying the opposite. “Wrong with me in all the right ways.”

Diego grinned. “I can’t argue that.”

Carly huffed, but her smile was peeking through. She opened her mouth.

“I hoped I’d find you both here.” That was Isabella’s voice, not Carly’s.

My blood ran cold as our ex-wife walked into the room, and my entire world was yanked out from under me.

20

Carly

“Isabella.” Raul’s voice was cool.

This woman was their ex?

I didn’t like the look of her. Normally, I wasn’t petty—I’d adjust anyone’s crown without raising a fuss, and all that—but Isabella was striking. In-your-face, long, dark hair, perfect skin, striking.

And I hated her for walking away from her family even more than I did for the way she looked. Though, she’d downgraded with the man whose arm she was on. He was attractive, and the ink that ran along his arms and neck was intricate and beautiful.

But he wasn’t Diego or Raul, and if he couldn’t measure up to one of them, he’d never measure up to both of them.

“Raul. Diego. It’s been so long.” She approached Raul, and it looked like she might kiss him on the cheeks.

He backed away, and ice spilled from him.

She turned to Diego, and the way he raised his eyebrow seemed to be enough to make her take a step back. “Five years,” he said. “What are you doing here, Isabella?”

Her smile never faltered, but it hadn’t looked genuine to begin with. “I heard you remarried. I had to meet the lucky lady. Is this her?”

A million thoughts raced through my mind in a split second, starting with I knew Diego still hadn’t fucking posted that retraction and ending with if this woman thinks we’re married, might as well as play it up. Bitch can choke on my tit.

Yeah, I really didn’t like her. That didn’t stop me from pasting on my most sugar smile and extending my hand. “Hi, I’m Carly. Isabella, is it? Are you a cousin or something? Raul has such a great family; I love meeting more of you.”

“I’m the original, hon.” She looked me over with disdain.

Who knew? We had something in common.

“The original, the only ex-wife.” Diego slipped an arm around my waist.

It was easy to lean into him. Didn’t take any faking at all, unlike this conversation. I was grateful the work crew was gone for the day, though. Losing their time sucked, but I didn’t need witnesses to me being lovey dovey with Diego and Raul. No one beyond this woman.

Her companion looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. I gave him a more friendly smile, though if he was dating Isabella he may not deserve it. No reason to judge yet. “Are you Isabella’s…?” I trailed off on purpose.

“Entourage. Bodyguard. Jack of all trades. You can call me Joystick.” He shook my hand.

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