Page 102 of Greed

Two months ago, I handed Mrs. Collymore the deal of a lifetime, but she turned me down after deciding that testing her baked goods at her theaters’ concession stands was a smart move. I jumped on board and helped her with all the legal paperwork required to make that change.

So far, the future looks bright for both women.

“I’m a great lawyer,” I tell my fiancé. “You know that.”

“I do know that.” He looks into my eyes. “I also know that I’m marrying you in less than a month, and I can’t fucking wait.”

* * *

I waveto Nyssa and Otto as I watch them enter the theater hand-in-hand.

Tonight is a private screening of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in honor of my sister’s birthday.

Many of Carrie’s co-workers and a few of our mutual friends, including Nyssa are on the guest list. When I texted the invite, she called me in response to tell me she was going to try again with Myka’s dad.

I was thrilled for both of them and their daughter too.

“You should come with us,” Declan says to Rygar. “Everyone loves a good movie.”

Rygar’s leaning against a light pole next to our parked car. “I would, sir, but movies aren’t my thing.”

“They’re not your thing?” Declan repeats. “What the hell does that mean?”

Rygar glances at the theater. “It’s been years since I’ve stepped foot in a theater. I prefer streaming services.”

“I prefer the addictive stuff they spray all over the popcorn at these places.” Declan laughs. “It would mean a lot to my fiancée if you came with us.”

I nod in agreement. “I’d love it if you did, Rygar. The owner of the theater makes the best bagels in town. You have to try at least one.”

That piques his interest. “Better than Bailey’s in Brooklyn?”

“Better than anywhere else.”

He takes a step forward. “I suppose I can carve out the time to watch a movie after all.”

I glance to the entrance to see Mrs. Collymore on the approach. She slows as she nears us, her eyes narrowing behind her eyeglasses. “It can’t be.”

Rygar turns toward her voice, and his bottom lip trembles immediately. “Patty? Is that you?”

“Ry?” she says in a voice tinged with surprise. “My Ry?”

“What the fuck is happening?” Declan whispers.

I swipe a tear from my cheek. “I think we’re watching the beginning of the sequel to a love story that started decades ago.”

He turns to me. “Explain that more, Abigail.”

Mrs. Collymore and Rygar rush to each other, and the moment they’re within arms reach, they are clinging tightly to one another.

“They loved each other once a long time ago,” I whisper to my fiancé. “Fate tore them apart, but look at them now. Just look, Declan. That’s true love.”

“I am looking at my true love.”

I glance at him to find his gaze pinned to my face. “Declan, you’re looking at me. I told you to look at them.”

“Let them have their moment,” he whispers. “I just want to stare at you.”

“When I asked your father for your hand in marriage, he told me you met someone else,” Rygar says from near us. “He told me you never wanted to speak to me again, so I stopped coming here.”

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