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Laura79Please respect copyright.PENANAZhHCsDXIl0
I was an emotional wreck last night but felt better after staying in bed all morning. I was in comfy pajamas and curled up on the sofa with my favorite mug, sipping tea, and staring at banded stacks of money. My phone was vibrating somewhere in the room, but I didn’t bother to look for it. I wasn’t in the mood to talk. It wasn’t Rex. I could say that much. I gave up expecting him to call months ago. Our relationship was finished too, but I still wanted to list Savage Paradise in the company’s brochure.
I thought about it long and hard. There had to be a way to do that without completely losing it over Rex. My job was really important to me. It kept me sane after our breakup. My heart and soul still went into it. I could definitely put aside my personal feelings to strike a deal.
I set down my tea cup and powered on my laptop. My plan was to get all the details I could on Savage Paradise. I tapped in keywords, phrases, and whatever else, but the searches didn’t reveal much. I flopped back on the sofa, frustrated. I should’ve tried the professional approach from the start, but I wanted more from Rex, so it was really hard not to get caught up in the memories.
I reminisced until a knock on the door startled me. I came back to reality and went to the door.
“Girl, open up,” Stacie yelled and kept knocking.
“Okay, calm down,” I hurried to unlock the door, and a warm breeze came in with the delicious aromas from the paper bags.
“I called like a hundred times, you should at least text to let people know you’re alive,” Stacie was about to set lunch on the coffee table. “What the hell? There’s like two hundred thousand dollars here.”
“Two hundred and fifty to be exact,” I locked the door and returned to my cozy spot on the sofa.
Stacie was still eyeing the money, “Okay, you didn’t say much after we left Savage Paradise, and I was dying to know what was in the envelope, but damn, no wonder you struggled walking through the courtyard.”
I sighed, “It doesn’t weigh that much. I was upset.”
Stacie motioned to the cash, “Well, this can help with your heartache. I’m not saying it’s right, but you’ll learn to live with whatever in time.”
I laughed, “Really, money can’t cure everything.”
“But it can make you extremely comfortable while you cry your eyes out. Why did Rex give it to you?”
“He was returning it,” I reached for the bank slip and then gave it to Stacie. “Dad paid him to break up with me. I don’t know the details. Rex wasn’t very helpful.”
She glanced at the receipt, “I didn’t expect this.”
“You and me both. Dad didn’t say a word about it.”
Stacie shook her head. “When did all this take place?”
“Rex said it was the night he left town,” my cheeks flushed, but I told Stacie what happened from start to finish. My words were jumbled at the end because I was upset all over again.
“I shouldn’t have tried to hit him, but he was teasing me. I was upset. He comforted me. It was confusing. I’ll talk to Dad, but I’m finished with Cameron for good.”
Stacie stared at me. “What happened? Does he have something to do with this?”
“Yes, I was with him the night Rex left town.”
Stacie cursed under her breath and shook her head, “I can’t silently judge because you were heartbroken after Rex left. Why were you hooking up with Cameron?”
“It wasn’t like that. He had an event. His date cancelled, and I was his plus one. I didn’t tell Rex about it. Maybe all this would’ve been avoided. I’m not sure how to explain it because I’ve been having sex with the guy he accused me of cheating with.”
Stacie sighed, “It looks shady as hell. Will you give the cash to your Dad?”
I didn’t think that far ahead before she asked, but I quickly decided. “No. I shouldn’t. He gave the money to Rex so it’s his.”
“Laura, you’re upset. Please don’t toss cash at Rex. Clearly, he doesn’t need it.”
I sighed, “I’m not buying his affection. I was in love with Rex. I still am, now how pathetic is that?”
Stacie sat next to me. “Why does it have to be a bad thing? This could be your second chance.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. You should’ve seen the look on his face. We’re finished.”
“Let’s say I believed it. Why is Rex here? There are plenty of locations he could’ve used for the bar.”
I sighed, “True, but I’m not the reason he’s back.”
“Well, I don’t know anyone, myself included, who would return this kind of cash. Rex needs something else. Talk to him.”
“I tried forcing him into explaining, but that didn’t work out. I still want to feature Savage Paradise in our luxury brochure. It’s work-related, but at least we can have a conversation.”
We talked over lunch. The money was secure in my safe because there was no way I’d leave that much cash lying around.
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