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.

tomato–red

foot. “How could you just ask for their contacts like that?

cards now. It’d be a waste not to

something strange and grabbed my arm. “You know Mr. Hallman?

you two meet?”

froze, caught off guard by her

I can see it in his eyes–the way

hide things from her. So I told her everything–about volunteering at

tech mogul?” She’d seen his business card–the same guy I’d helped

rising star who was killing

him, and I didn’t even know who he was. Back then, people talked about

time. When I heard his story,

for investments. Your instincts are spot–on,”

Jared’s money, not mine.

his own romantic competitor. Imagine how pissed he’ll

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

“So… you’re really divorcing Jared?

me laugh. “Alright, draft something up for me to

think Jared will give you half?” Melissa asked, her eyes alight

half. Even ten percent of his fortune would last me

over whatever you needed without you asking.” Melissa studied me, her usual teasing

think it would end in divorce?” For all her blunt humor, she

into marriage thinking about divorce?” I said bitterly. “We were all in, picturing silver anniversaries, matching rocking chairs,

“Truth is, it’s just a partnership.

your losses

“Exactly. We’re still

and women are all the same. The magic always fades. Why not just keep dating? Always have someone new to love and be