Chapter 22
When I arrive at work the next morning, Bianca runs up and throws her arms around me. “Nora, please stop ignoring me. I hate it when you're mad at me. I'm not apologizing, but I love you.”
I chuckle. “I'm not mad anymore. I love you too. And… I think you were right.” I take a deep breath.
Her eyes widen. “Wait. Does that mean…”
My phone rings. It's a California number, and my heart sinks. I didn't have any friends when I lived in California. I answer. “Hello?”
“Hello. May I please speak with Mrs. Ellis?”
“This is she.” I wrinkle my nose at the name. I hate it so much.
“Hello, Mrs. Ellis. My name is James Henson. I'm the lawyer overseeing your husband's and father's estates. Since neither left a written will, everything goes to you: bank accounts, houses, vehicles, and so on. I need you to come to California to sign the paperwork and collect everything.”
I sit there, frozen. What the fuck?
“Mrs. Ellis?”
I draw a deep breath. “I'm no longer Mrs. Ellis. I changed my last name to Bellandi. You can just call me Nora, and I don't want any of it. Sell it.”
Silence.
“Mrs.… Ms. Bellandi, I'd suggest reconsidering. It's a considerable amount of money. You could sell everything yourself and cash out. What you'd receive would set you up for life.”
I purse my lips. “If I wanted to donate it, what would I have to do?”
Silence.
“Well, I'd need to know which organizations you want to donate to, and you'd have to be here to sign all the paperwork.”
“I want all the donations made to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. I'll fly out Friday to sign.” I smile.
“Thank you, Ms. Bellandi.”
I end the call. Bianca gives me a puzzled look. “Who was that?”
I smile. “We're going to California. I've inherited my father's and ex-husband's estates. I'm donating everything to a domestic abuse charity.”
Bianca hugs me again. “I'm so proud of you, Nora.”
Someone clears his throat. Bianca releases me, and we turn to find Owen smirking at us.
“Baby, I don't mind. All three of us can head out to my car right now,” Owen says seductively.
She leans over the counter and smacks his forehead. “I will beat the shit out of you.” She glares at him.
He laughs and rubs his forehead. “Baby, I was joking. I love you.”
She comes around the counter, pointing a finger at him. “You're so frustrating sometimes. You just like getting under my skin.”
He turns her toward the door. “You weren't complaining about me being under you last night.” He smacks her ass. “Go get in my vehicle. We can finish arguing there, and then you can give me makeup sex.” His breath brushes her neck. She giggles and runs out to the car.
I miss having that with Graham. He was so charming and flirtatious. God, I miss that man in more ways than one.
I'm cleaning glasses when a woman's voice interrupts me.
“Excuse me?”
I straighten, and my eyes widen. A beautiful brunette who could pass for a model stands before me. Vanessa.
“How can I help you?”
She smiles. “Can I have a Long Island iced tea?”
I nod and make her drink, pouring it into a glass and adding a lemon garnish. I set it on the counter in front of her. She lifts it and takes a sip, watching me.
Her eyes travel over my face and body as though she's sizing me up. Look here, bitch. I'm tougher than I look, and I will demolish you.
“You're Nora, right?” she asks.
I nod. “Yes.”
She grins. “I'm Vanessa. I'm…”
“I know who you are,” I interrupt, keeping my voice flat. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
She sets her drink down. “Well, I thought you should know Graham and I have a date Saturday night. I want him back, and I always get what I want. I suggest you move on.” Venom coats her words.
I take her drink and dump it into the sink.
“How did that work out with your rich boyfriend?
Did he get tired of you? Is that why you're here, desperate for Graham's attention?
You missed one detail in your plan. Graham always gets what he wants too.
Are you sure that's you?” I smirk and start rinsing the glass.
She slaps her hands against the table. “I'm going to fuck Graham on Saturday.
He's all man. All I have to do is show him a little ass.
He'll pound me into his pillows and have me moaning and screaming his name.
Once we've both come, he'll be begging me to deep-throat his cock.” She turns and walks out.
I grab the glass and hurl it beside the door as she walks through. She jumps and whirls around, staring at me with wide eyes. Then she huffs and leaves.
I feel as if I could break the countertop in half. God, I want to rip out her fucking hair.
I go over to the broken glass and start picking it up and throwing it away. Only then do I realize I've cut my hand. I return to the sink behind the bar and try to stop the bleeding.
Owen and Bianca come in with their hair and clothes rumpled from sex. I shake my head. They're ridiculous, but funny.
They approach the counter. Bianca looks at the blood in the sink. “Oh my God, Nora! What happened?”
She rushes around the counter and grabs my hand. “Ow! Stop, that fucking hurts!” I yell.
She scowls at me. “Why is there glass in your hand?”
I look up at her, embarrassed. “I threw a glass.”
Owen's eyes widen. “At who?”
I grin. “Vanessa.”
Bianca takes a pair of tweezers from her purse, her expression hardening. “What did she say?”
I draw a deep breath. “Ow! Hey!”
Bianca holds my hand firmly. “Stop being a baby. I'm almost done. Now, what did she say that made you throw a fucking glass?”
Owen is still watching me. “She told me she wanted Graham back and that she always gets what she wants.
I said Graham always gets what he wants too, and asked if she was sure he wanted her.
That pissed her off. She said they have a date Saturday and she's going to fuck him, then explained exactly how she plans to do it.
I got mad and threw a glass toward her as she was leaving.
It startled her, the glass shattered, and now I've got it in my hand. End of story.”
Owen chuckles. “Remind me never to piss you off, princess. Jealousy looks good on you, Nora.”
I roll my eyes. “I'm not jealous.”
Bianca snorts. “Yeah, right, miss. You're the one throwing a fucking glass cup at the ex of the man you love. You reek of jealousy.”