Housewife Gone Wild

Chapter 26

Nathan’s insight surprised me. He seemed to know me better than I’d realized.

“Have you been checking up on me?” My smile faded. The collapse of my marriage was painful enough without strangers poking through the remains.

“Sorry, I overstepped,” Nathan blurted out, uncharacteristically flustered. “Just heard some things in passing. No background checks, I promise.”

“Lovely meeting you.” I gave him my best polite dismissal and walked away.

Nathan stayed frozen where he stood.

Back at our table, Melissa was still nervously eyeing the handsome stranger at the other table, clearly working up the courage to talk to him.

“Melissa, ready to go?” I asked, already gathering my things. Nathan’s lingering gaze and that unsettling confession had me suddenly desperate for an exit.

She rose with obvious reluctance, just as Nathan came back inside.

I pulled Melissa forward. “Mr. Hallman, meet Melissa–legal genius and my best friend. Keep her number handy for when you inevitably need a lawyer.”

“Victoria…” Melissa hadn’t expected me to be so forward. She turned bright red, wishing she could vanish on the spot.

I shot her a reassuring look. “Don’t worry. Mr. Hallman and I know each other.”

Nathan handed Melissa a business card. “Ms. Jenkins, my company could use legal counsel. If you’re interested, reach out to my assistant, Zachary Chandler.”

“Hello,” said Zachary, the handsome guy across the table, raising his hand. He slid his card toward her. “Just give me a call.”

Melissa took both cards, her face burning. “Nice to meet you,” she murmured, and then yanked me out of the restaurant at lightning speed.

took one look at her tomato–red cheeks and burst out laughing,

foot. “How could you just ask for their contacts like that? Now I can never show my face

grinned and nudged her. “You’ve got their cards now. It’d be a waste

second…” Melissa picked up on something strange and grabbed my

you two meet?”

off guard by

squinted. “Don’t even try denying it. I can see it in his eyes–the way he looks at you

my friend, and I didn’t want to hide things from her. So I told her everything–about volunteering

donation of yours created a tech mogul?” She’d seen his business card–the same guy I’d helped was now Nathan

27–year–old rising star who was killing it in the tech

he was. Back then, people talked about this genius kid- how his family

at the time. When

a real gift for investments. Your instincts

smile. “It was Jared’s money, not mine. If anyone deserves

perfect. Jared financed his own romantic competitor. Imagine

her mouth. “Keep your voice down. If anyone hears

voice dropping to a whisper. “So… you’re really divorcing Jared? Need me

“Alright, draft

half?” Melissa asked, her eyes alight with

not. I don’t expect half. Even

been stingy with you. Honestly, he’d probably hand over whatever you needed without you asking.” Melissa studied me,

walked down that aisle, did you ever think it would end

all in, picturing silver anniversaries, matching rocking chairs, a house full

interrupted. “Truth is, it’s just a partnership. Pick right,

losses

smile. “Exactly. We’re

and women are all the same. The magic