Rusty nailed(34)

“Talking too much is what got you into trouble in the first place,” he said, pointing me in the direction of the bedroom. “Now get in there.”

I resolved him twice that night.





chapter nine


E-mail excerpt from Jillian to Caroline:

Sounds like everything is going great at work; everyone is saying what a great job you’re doing. I even got an e-mail from Max Camden, who said the work is coming along even earlier than anticipated based on the guys you recommended to hire instead of his usual crew—way to go, kiddo! Hey, how’s Monica doing? Don’t work her too hard. I know you won’t, but the boss in me requires me to say it. I bet she’s a godsend! And I’d tell you not to work too hard, but I know better, right?

Things are amazing here; I almost don’t want to tell you. But I totally will—I am in love with France. Seriously, I could live here. The food alone is a reason to chuck my passport and stay. Did you know you can harvest your own oysters and eat them on the beach in Brittany? Crazy. But now we’re off to Italy, stopping first in Lake Como to stay in a villa that one of Benjamin’s partners owns. No, it’s not Clooney, but I will tell him hello if I see him ; )

Oh, I meant to tell you. Make sure you meet with the accountant this week; he said he’s going to call you to set something up. I need you to e-mail me some files.

• • •

Text from Sophia to Caroline:

Okay. I talked to him. Big woo.

Big woo? Like he was wooing you?

Whoa. No woo. I meant like, big woo we talked, no big deal. You know, “big woo.”

Did he try to woo you?

Caroline, dammit, no. That’s not the point. He wanted to talk, you all convinced me to let him talk, so he talked. I listened.

Did you yell?

A little.

Did he tell you what happened?

Yes, he kissed her.

Anything else?

Does there need to be anything else?

No, just asking.

Well, stop asking.

How’d it end?

With yelling. He yelled too, though; it wasn’t just me.

So it’s really over?

What did you expect? That he’d come over, we’d talk, and I’d magically forget everything that happened?

Of course not. So it’s really over.

It’s impossible for me to hang up on you since we’re texting, but know that I am hanging up on you.

Text from Caroline to Mimi:

They talked.

I know! It didn’t go well . . .

I know!

So now what?

What do you mean? Did you think she’d just magically forget everything that happened?

You must have just been texting with Sophia; you’re taking a tone.

I know! Sorry . . .

It doesn’t matter. What matters is I don’t think those two are over yet . . .

What? She’s pretty sure they are.

I have a hunch. Let me think on it.

Mimi . . . don’t meddle.

Have you met me?

Text from Simon to Caroline

Just sent you a picture, did you get it?

Mmm, should I close the door to my office?

No no, not like that, but I like the way you’re thinking. Did you get it yet?

I did, I wish I was there. The beach looks amazing. How are things in Bora Bora?

Amazing. But it’d be better if you were here. Still can’t believe you turned down a trip here . . .

You’d believe it if you saw my desk right now. I’m literally swimming in paperwork.

I’m literally swimming in the ocean. Or I was a few minutes ago

Honestly Simon, sometimes . . .

Sorry, babe. Just wish you were here.

Me too. I gotta go; my inbox just exploded.

Text from Simon to Neil:

So you talked to her.

Dude . . .

That bad?

Dude!

Sorry, man . . .

Text from Mimi to Caroline:

So I’m thinking we should have a game night—you know, play Pictionary and stuff like that?

I’d love to, but I’m slammed. When were you thinking?

Maybe the Saturday night before Thanksgiving? Can you spare a few hours over the weekend?

I can spare a few hours, yes, that’s about it. You guys wanna come out to Sausalito? Be nice not to have to go back into the city.

We can do that. I was thinking we should invite Sophia.

Of course we should.

And Neil.

Oh boy.

Trust me.

There’s an entire wall of windows in Jillian’s house, Mimi. The last thing I need is someone throwing things.

Trust me.

Think Barry Derry sells party insurance?

Text from Mimi to Sophia:

Hey girl! Game night next Saturday, you in?

No.

What?

No. I’ve already peeped your game, you’re inviting Neil, aren’t you?

Yes.

No.

We’ll see.

I’m not coming if he is.

We’ll see.

Text from Ryan to Neil:

Game night? Next Saturday?

Cool! I smoked your ass last time at Pictionary.

Sophia’s invited.

Not cool, dude. I’m not going if she’s going.