Jake expected her to at least show some remorse, but her haughty expression surprised even him.
“All she’s after is Jesse’s money, and I bet she won’t stop until she gets your share too. That’s the only reason she’s with you. Can’t you see that?”
“And what do you base this wild assumption on? Yourdiscreetinquiries that turned up nothing?”
“Why did she wait until now to show her face? She knew all along he’d left her money.” Alexia glanced down as she picked at a metallic-green nail, then back up again. “Think about it. Sweetie-pie career girl down on her luck arrives back from New York to take up a short-term contract at some mediocre marketing firm in the provinces, and the coincidence never occurred to you? Please, spare me the violins.”
“What do you mean ‘down on her luck’?”
“You only have to see that wreck she drives to realize she’s in the crap financially.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Is it? I’m not the enemy here, Jake.” Alexia paused. “Molly Parker’s a catfish. I know it, your mother knows it, and if you’re honest with yourself, you know it too. But then, maybe your dick’sbeen so far up her ass that you fail to see the real picture.”
“Stop! Just stop, would you?” Jake held his jaw firm. He wanted to lean forward and slap his palm over her mouth to shut her up, but he resisted the temptation by clenching his hands in his lap.
“My pleasure.” Alexia glared at him. “And just remember, you might not want to sleep with me, but the fact that it’s Molly Parker youdowant to sleep with—your late twin’s ex, no less—makes you look like a prize jerk around town. And as your friend, as someone who’s always had your back, that hurts. In fact, I’m surprised she’s even interested after I told her what a sloppy kisser you are.”
WTF?“You told her what?”
That fake smile. “Well, you could never quite get the hang of it, could you? It seemed only fair to warn her.”
“I was sixteen!”
“No excuse. And I’d love to say I’m happy for you both, but I’m not.” Alexia plucked another tissue from the pack in her hand. “She’s just a money-grabbing catfish. Why can’t you see that? It’s bizarre.”
“You should leave.”
“My pleasure.” She stood and, unstable on her feet, gazed around the room as if looking for something. “Where’s my bag?”
Jake rose to steady her and frowned as he picked up her bag from the sofa, where she’d sat mere seconds before, and handed it to her. “Are you high?”
“What if I am? You’re such a bore, do you know that? Stoic Jake. For shit’s sake, let your hair down and live a little.”
“You can’t drive in that state.”
“I’ve just had a tiny something to take the edge off. It’s no big deal.” She checked her watch. “And I’m now running late. Are you sure you won’t come? It’d do you good to get out of this depressing place for once.”
Jake centered himself with a slow inhale, a pointed “piss off”about to fall from the tip of his tongue. “I’ll call you an Uber. You can collect your car tomorrow.”
Alexia smirked. “Yes, Chef.”
“You know what”—he grabbed his keys from the sideboard—“I’ll drop you off.”
“What if your girlfriend sees us together? Does she know your a two-timing asshole?”
“Get in the damn truck before I change my mind.”
“So, you’re not going to give me a lecture all the way into town are you?”
“I wouldn’t waste my breath. At this point, Lex, I don’t give a shit what you do. Just stay the hell out of my life. And keep away from Molly.”
35
The next morning, Molly lay in bed, mindlessly scrolling through her social media apps, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t get the image of Alexia’s SUV parked in Jake’s driveway out of her mind.
Despite her unease and disappointment at the time, Molly had quickly decided it was none of her business. She’d simply slowed to drive by and then carried on home, her heart pounding as she struggled to focus on the road ahead.
