A month later.
Gabby and I were going over notes for a story on the latest scandal with a bank skimming customers out of overdraft fees. My body was still adjusting from the train wreck of Greco trying to pawn me in front of Savio, and he ended up getting killed. Viviana was nowhere to be heard from after news of her father getting killed.
“This could be a great lead graphic,” Gabby mentioned, holding up a Post-it note.
“Money scam. The old trick,” I rambled off.
“I like it.”
“So, have you heard anything about Joseph getting killed in a car accident?”
“No.”
“I heard it had something to do with the Calabresi family.”
“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Gabby.”
“Normally I don’t, but it was so fast.”
“What other notes do you have?” I queried, trying to change the subject.
“Here, have you met the new editor?” She opened her folder and pointed to line items highlighted.
“Not yet.”
“She’s pretty cool. Seems open to ideas.”
“That’s great.”
“You seem distracted. Am I boring you?” She chuckled.
I smiled and shook my head.
“You’re fine. I just want to get this done so I can head home.”
“Ohh, what are your plans?”
“Food and bed.” I laughed.
“Aren’t you still married?”
“Gabby.”
“Sorry, force of habit.” She held her hands up in surrender.
“Let’s just focus on the story.”
“Gotcha.”
“Thanks.”
“One thing.”
“Ughhh… What is it?”
“There’s a man standing behind you with flowers.”
I swung my head around, and there was a delivery guy with flowers in his hands. I closed the book and stood. I already knew who sent them.
“McKayla Stanton.” He lifted his clipboard.
“That’s me.”
“Sign here.”
I took the clipboard and signed my name.
“Have a nice day.”
“Thanks, let me grab you a tip.”
I turned to put the flowers down. He stopped me.
“No need, I was given a tip already.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“They look expensive.” Gabby leaned over and smelled the flowers.
“You like them?”
She nodded her head. “They’re beautiful.”
“You can have them.”
“What! You’re kidding.”
“I’m serious. Take them.”
“McKayla, no.”
“Please, you should take them.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep. Enjoy.” I placed them near her and picked up my backpack and keys.
“Are you leaving?”
“I’m exhausted and need a break. I’ll email you my notes.”
“All right, have a good day and thanks again.”
I dropped my work bag at my apartment door, removed my ponytail, scratched my scalp, and headed to the kitchen when the doorbell rang. It was going on seven at night, but I was pretty wiped out since I came back home. Having guests was the last thing I needed when I could barely keep my head up.
“Ughh, not in the mood.” I groaned, marched to the door, and yanked it open to see Rena about to knock again. My work schedule had been nonstop, cramming myself back into getting my work up again.
“I have wine.”
“Good, because it’s the only reason you’re invited in tonight.”
“Well, good thing I came with gifts.” She held a bag of takeout in her right hand.
“That’s why you’re my friend.”
“Yes, and you should shower and change while I set this up.”
“Wait, how did you get away from Sante?”
“Sante doesn’t own me.”
“Rena.”
“Tonight is about you relaxing… no men.”
“Rena Clark doesn’t care to talk about men?”
I reached up and touched her forehead.
“I’m not man crazy.”
“Today you’re not.”
She stuck her tongue out, and I laughed and went to the bedroom to shower and change. Savio liked me to sleep naked. Some nights I did miss him, but it was hard to find the balance between my heart and my head. Thirty minutes after washing the day away, I came up to the living room with the TV on to Goodfellas, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her little dig.
“Rena, you pick the oddest things to watch.” I plopped down on the couch next to her and picked up the glass of wine.
“I thought this would help clear your mind.” She grinned.
“You’re an ass.”
“Sante tells me that all the time.”
“What’s going on with you two?”
She lifted the glass to her lips.
“Nothing.”
“You can tell me if you like him.”
“I don’t.”
“So why are you squirming in your seat?”
“Tonight, I’m here to help you. My life isn’t complicated.”
“Yet.”
“Yet what?”
“Your life isn’t complicated yet.”
“He’s not my type.”
“A sexy, tall man with broad shoulders and kissable lips?”
“Nope.”
“Did I mention a billionaire?”
“Someone told me once, there are more things in life than a billionaire.”
“Mhmmmm…I wonder who that was.” I chortled.
“Anyway, we have a little work gathering tomorrow at the bar. You’re coming.”
“No.”
I grabbed the plate and fork off the table to feed my grumbling stomach.
“Yes.”
“No, Rena.”
“McKayla, you’ve been cooped up here or in the office since you’ve been back.”
“I like my quiet and structure.”
“You’re becoming a hermit.”
“I feel guilty.”
“For what?”
“Everything.”
“You fell in love.”
“With a crazy, arrogant, possessive man.”
“Don’t forget sexy.”
I pushed her in the shoulder, and she fell over laughing.
“Seriously, I want you to be happy with or without Savio.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t rush anything. Until then, we’re going out.”
“If I go, which I didn’t agree to, I won’t be staying long.”
I scooped some rice in my mouth and took a sip of my drink.
“At least stay an hour.”
“The things I do for you.”
“Did I tell you Sante tried to crash one of my dates?”
“What? No. When did this happen?”
“A few weeks ago.”
“You like him?”
“No.”
“I can see you turning red. I’ll leave it alone for now.”
“This is my favorite part with Ray Liotta.” She grabbed the remote and turned up the volume, ignoring my last statement.
The next night, as promised, Rena and I came out to the bar to hang with a few coworkers who I’d been ignoring for a while. I could see the looks on their faces; they wanted to ask about my marriage. I hadn’t started the process of even filing for divorce. Savio stopped calling and texting, so I guessed he got the hint that I didn’t want to talk. I promised I would start the process once I cleared my head and thought clearly.
“You look like you don’t want to be here.” Nick came over, sipping on his beer, and sat beside me in the booth.
“Is that obvious?”
“Rena said you needed a little conversation.”
I glanced over at her dancing with some guy in the corner.
“I’m a big girl. I don’t need a babysitter, Nick.”
“I can see that.”
“Aren’t you and Gabby dating?”
“No.”
“Interesting.”
“Is that the gossip going around the office?”
“That, and the new editor is cool.”
“She’s all right,” he responded, and I reached for my martini and took a sip.
“From what I gather, she has a crush on you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She hasn’t taken her eyes off you since you came to sit.”
He scanned the bar and noticed her turn her back to us.
“She’s a friend.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“You look like you could use a friend.”
“I—”
“She has a husband; no need for friends.” Renato stood in front of the booth. I almost choked on my drink when I noticed EJ next to him.
“Renato.”
“Who is he?” Nick asked.
“The guy who’s going to make you disappear.” Renato’s cold, dead eyes glared at Nick.
“I suggest you get up and leave,” EJ warned and held Renato back. Nick peered at me, and I felt sorry for how they were acting. As an only child, I’d always wanted siblings, but to get four crazy brothers who would threaten someone off an innocent conversation was over the top. He walked off, and I jumped up and pointed a finger in his face.
“Are you two crazy!”
“You’ve had enough fun. Time to go home to your husband.”
I chuckled and threw my hands in the air.
“I don’t have a husband.”
“McKayla, we can do this easy or hard.”
“Renato, if you threaten me, I promise to call your parents.”
“I don’t take kindly to threats.”
“Tell your brother to go to hell.”
“You tell him yourself.”
“He’s here?”
“Outside in the car waiting.”
“I’m not going.”
“McKayla, for our safety, it’s best you walk out now.”
“I’m not scared of him.”
“It’s not about your safety; it’s about everyone else’s,” EJ explained.