Chapter 27
Saturday, December 22
“How did you sleep?” Anita asked when I walked into the living room shortly before ten on Saturday morning. “More importantly, did you speak to Marco last night?”
“Only by text,” I said, not wanting to elaborate other than adding, “He was really busy.”
Over thirty-six hours had passed since I’d discovered what could be a huge, friendship-and-business-altering issue in Dessert Dudes’ financial paperwork, and I still felt unsure about how I’d approach the topic with Marco.
Thankfully, yesterday’s Advent calendar treat had provided a distraction, as Anita had taken me to lunch at La Crêperie Parisienne, one of our favorite eateries, after which we’d moseyed around Fallbrook for a much-needed girls’ day out.
Not seeing Marco had given me a little more distance to think about what I’d discovered. My resolve to tell him everything tomorrow hadn’t changed, but I could feel a distinct knot forming in my stomach when I thought about our upcoming conversation, and I certainly didn’t want to delve into things with my sister again now.
I picked up the rectangular package marked with the silver number twenty-two and waggled it in the air. “Can I open this?”
Anita nodded. “I’m excited about doing this task with you.”
I tore into the paper, revealing a box with a note.
Today’s mission: Filling bellies.
We’re helping at Fallbrook’s food drive at 11 a.m.
“This is great,” I said. “Just like we used to with Mom and Dad.”
“Exactly. It’ll be fun. I’ll go and get ready.”
As she disappeared into her bedroom, my phone rang, and I saw the number of my former boss. “Jennifer,” I said, surprised. “It’s so great to hear from you. How are you doing?”
“Wonderful, and I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch,” she said. “Part of my agreement when I left Whitlock & Blake was that I wouldn’t approach any of their employees, but I heard you quit. Is that true?”
“Yes, it is. When Grant took over the finance department, things went haywire.”
Jennifer sighed. “I wish I could say I’m surprised, but he’s such an—”
“Ass?” I offered, making her laugh.
“What are you doing job-wise?” she asked. “Have you found a new position?”
“I have an interview beginning of January. It sounds promising.”
“Whoever it is, they’d be lucky to have you,” Jennifer said. “Listen, you may have heard I’m setting up my own accounting firm. I’m joining forces with a friend, and I’m wondering if you’d be interested in meeting us for breakfast next weekend. We can tell you about our plans and see if you might consider getting involved.”
I gasped. “Really? I’d love to chat.”
Jennifer’s smile was audible. “I’ll message you no later than Wednesday, and we can arrange a time. I think us working together again could be mutually beneficial, not to mention a blast.”
As soon as we said goodbye, I put my cell down, jumped into the air, and pumped my fists. “Yes, yes, yes !” I didn’t notice that I hadn’t disconnected the call properly until I heard Jennifer’s distant laughing.
“Always loved your enthusiasm, Callie,” she said after I’d mumbled an apology into my phone. “We’ll speak soon.”
“What’s going on?” Anita asked when she came out of her bedroom to find me doing a little jig in front of my Charlie Brown tree with my cell still in my hand.
“Jennifer wants to meet next week about a job,” I said, and after Anita rushed over to hug me, I messaged Marco.
Me: My ex-boss at W&B wants to talk about a job opportunity
Marco: CONGRATULATIONS Can I come over tonight to celebrate, even if it’s late?
I hesitated, wanting to reply with an emphatic YES, but I couldn’t face spending time with him unless I was ready to mention the payments to Vince. Knowing myself and how guilty I already felt about keeping this temporary secret, seeing Marco face-to-face and withholding information was completely off the table.
I’m not sure what I’m doing tonight , I wrote back, which was the truth. But definitely tomorrow xoxo
I felt sad to send it, but I also didn’t want to accidentally hurt him by jumping into my suspicions too soon. Not without a proper game plan.
Half an hour later, Anita and I were on our way to the food drive, which was located near the Oak Park Community Center. As we walked up Bloomfield Avenue, I spotted Floral Reef and recalled the missing Dessert Dudes credit card receipt from the flower shop. It would save Marco time if I could track down some paperwork, and although it seemed like an insignificant gesture, it was at least something I could do.
After telling Anita I needed a minute, I headed inside the florist, breathing in the sweet scent of roses and lilies as I walked past the table of Christmas centerpieces made from pine boughs, silver brunia berries, and gold-sprayed pine cones.
Little plush gnomes hung from a display, their hats pulled so low you could only see little round noses peeping out from above their long white beards. Smiling, I picked one up, thinking Anita would love it as an addition to our Charlie Brown tree.
“Aren’t they adorable?” the store clerk said when I set the gnome on the counter. “Is there anything else I can get for you today?”
“Yes, I hope so,” I said. “I’m working on the bookkeeping for the company Dessert Dudes, and I’m missing an invoice from September.” I pulled out my phone and zoomed in on the picture I’d taken of the credit card statement. “Here’s the transaction.”
“I should be able to help you.” The clerk reached for her tablet and swiped a finger across the screen. “Let me see. Not this one. Hold on…Yes, here we are. Would you like a printed copy, or can I email it to you?”
“A printout would be great.”
“No problem.” The woman tapped her screen a few times, and a machine hummed behind her. Once she’d gift-wrapped Anita’s gnome, she grabbed the copy of the Dessert Dudes invoice from the printer, folded it in half, and put it on the counter.
After thanking her again, I slid the gnome and my wallet in my bag. As I walked toward the front door, I glanced at the invoice copy, doing a double take as soon as I caught sight of the recipient’s name.
Ruby Rowlinson.
Remembering that Marco was dating Ruby at the time, he must’ve sent her flowers and paid with the company credit card, or perhaps they were a thank-you for her helping with the administrative tasks. Then my eyes dropped to the delivery instructions a little lower down on the page, which specified a greeting card was to be added. As I read the message, my head spun so fast, the whole room nearly went blurry.
Had a great time again at dinner last night, and especially after dinner.
Same again soon?
Vince x
I stared at the sheet of paper. Checked the date again. Marco told me he’d had a gut feeling Ruby was seeing someone behind his back but had never found anything concrete to prove his theory. Except now I was holding the undeniable evidence in my hands, and for it to be Vince made this a million times worse.
He’d lied to Marco for months, potentially about Dessert Dudes’ financial situation and most definitely about Ruby. Had the dinner at the Odd Duck been Vince and Ruby, too? The dates lined up, as did the note included with the flowers.
My heart thudded as I finally understood why Vince had been so upset with Marco about giving me the company’s paperwork. He wasn’t angry because he wanted to handle everything himself. He was freaking out about the things I might uncover.
A gazillion thoughts exploded in my head. I was already unsure of how to talk to Marco about the finances, but with this bomb in my hands, it felt almost impossible now.
Part of me wanted to anonymously send a copy of the Floral Reef invoice to Marco, but that wasn’t fair. Maybe I could destroy it, pretend I hadn’t seen it, and let Vince bury the credit card charges under office expenses , but as soon as that horrible option entered my brain, I shoved it away. No matter what, this needed to be acted upon. Withholding or hiding the information turned me into a liar and complicit with Vince.
Nobody ever wanted to be the person to tell someone they’d been cheated on, but I couldn’t keep a secret of this magnitude from Marco. If he found out about Vince and Ruby later, I’d have to pretend to be shocked, meaning I’d lie all over again. I couldn’t do that to anyone, let alone someone I deeply cared for.
As soon as I got outside, Anita looked me and immediately asked, “Callie, what’s wrong?” I held out the sheet of paper to her, pointed at the message, gave her the lowdown. Her eyes grew wide as she swore under her breath. “Vince and Ruby? What the…What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I was planning on talking to Marco tomorrow, but now…”
“Tomorrow?” Anita gasped and grabbed my hand. “Look, I understand you’re scared of hurting him, but this is different. You may not be sure that Vince has taken money from Dessert Dudes, but he messed around with Ruby while she and Marco were together. You can’t keep this from him for another second. I’d want to know immediately if this happened to me.”
“I see what you’re saying, but this’ll crush him. It’s so much to dump on him all at once.” I looked at the receipt again and then back at Anita. “You think I should go now? Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she said with an emphatic nod. “Go and tell him, Callie. It’s the right decision. I know it is.”
“I hope you’re right,” I said. “I really, really do.”