by Lisa Becker
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Forgiven?
I know. And he puts up with it all. I know in my heart of hearts he’s not cheating. He is definitely putting work ahead of me. And I don’t like it one bit. You would never let a guy treat you this way.
From: Shelley Manning – August 18, 2012 – 1:12 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Forgiven?
Don’t go comparing yourself to me. (HA! That definitely came out the wrong way, huh?) What I mean is, we’re in different situations.
You are in a committed relationship with the man you know you want to spend the rest of your life with. You can’t imagine your life without him. And you shouldn’t. You were meant to be together.
You always talked about how the online dating pool was really a dating “cesspool.” I remember you jokingly complained you were afraid the guy would be an ax murderer while guys were always afraid the girl would be fat. Do you really want to go back to that?
I’m not in that place in my life. So I don’t have expectations from a partner like you would.
From: Renee Greene – August 18, 2012 – 1:19 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Forgiven?
Wow! This has turned into quite the deep conversation about love and relationships. Quick, say something inappropriate to lighten the mood!
From: Shelley Manning – August 18, 2012 – 1:20 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Forgiven?
BALLS!
From: Renee Greene – August 18, 2012 – 1:22 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Forgiven?
SUCCESS! Thanks Shelley. Go back to enjoying your Saturday. Speaking of which, why are you online on a Saturday?
From: Shelley Manning – August 18, 2012 – 1:24 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Forgiven?
Just catching up on some correspondences. Talk later Sweetie. Mwah! Mwah!
From: Renee Greene – August 18, 2012 – 2:02 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Cassidy’s Schedule
Hey, Mark. I know Cassidy’s schedule is very busy and always changing. You mentioned she’s at the beck and call of her clients who want her when they want her. Does that ever bother you? Do you ever feel neglected?
From: Mark Finlay – August 18, 2012 – 3:22 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Cassidy’s Schedule
Why do you ask? Everything okay with you and Ethan? I imagine he’s been working some long hours. Start-ups can be brutal.
Honestly, Cass’s work drives me crazy, among other things. For example, her grammar is atrocious, she never capitalizes anything and she keeps sending me videos of cats. Clearly, I’m a dog person, right? We even fight like cats and dogs (clever, aren’t I?) over the dumbest stuff. But I love her. And that means loving everything about her, even the things I can’t stand.
And she similarly puts up with all of my faults too. I know I can be a little obsessive about cleanliness and that I overanalyze everything and that I can’t make a decision without doing an abundance of research. I’m sure she doesn’t love all of that stuff. But she deals with it because she loves me.
I spent so many years trying to find someone perfect. I would find any little fault and use that as an excuse to not get out there. But I realized – don’t ask me how! – that I didn’t need someone perfect but instead needed someone perfect for me. And she is. She’s kind, sweet, funny and all around fantastic. And she makes me feel like I’m on top of the world. In fact, I’m going to marry this girl!
I’ve learned to put up with the things that I don’t like knowing they are just small issues in a much bigger, better package.
From: Renee Greene – August 18, 2012 – 4:00 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Cassidy’s Schedule
OMG! When are you going to propose? Do you have the ring? Do you want help shopping for one? Does she know?
From: Mark Finlay – August 18, 2012 – 4:32 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Cassidy’s Schedule
I’m not sure when I’m going to propose. We haven’t talked about it at all. But I’ve started learning more about how to buy a diamond. I would love for you to come shopping with me. You’ve got great taste and a woman’s perspective would definitely help. I’ll keep you posted.
Regarding Ethan, good luck staying supportive. And if you ever get lonely, Cass and I would love hanging out with you.
From: Renee Greene – August 18, 2012 – 4:33 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Cassidy’s Schedule
YES! Keep me posted. And thanks, Mark. You’re the best.
From: PBCupLover – August 19, 2012 – 8:23 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Making Up
Well, I take it you’ve forgiven me, no? If you haven’t, you are REALLY good in bed when you’re angry. We should fight ALL the time.
Sorry I had to take off so early this morning but as you know, I’ve got to work...even on a Sunday. I’ll call you later.
From: Renee Greene – August 19, 2012 – 9:43 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Making Up
Well, when you compliment a girl like that, it’s hard to stay angry. Although being mad at you is no fun, the making up part is pretty great. Made me realize how much I’ve missed you.
From: PBCupLover – August 19, 2012 – 9:46 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Making Up
I’ve been missing you too. I hope to be home at a decent time tonight. Love you, Babe!
From: Renee Greene – August 19, 2012 – 9:52 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Thanks!
Thanks for the advice yesterday. As much as I didn’t want to hear it, you were a little bit right. We talked and I’ve gotten it through my thick skull this is temporary, not what he wants to do in the present, but what he has to do for our future.
From: Shelley Manning – August 20, 2012 – 8:43 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Thanks!
A little bit right? Sweetie, that’s like saying I’m a little bit hot.
From: Renee Greene – August 20, 2012 – 8:51 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Thanks!
Love you, Shel!
Chapter 11 – Terminally Ill?
From: Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:25 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Should I be worried?
Are you feeling okay? You don’t have a terminal illness that I, as you very best friend, should be aware of, do you?
From: Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 9:27 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
No, I’m not dying. Why do you ask?
From: Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:34 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
You just don’t seem like yourself. That really good looking guy at Flint’s happy hour was totally into you and you…well…you didn’t even really give him a second look. That’s so out of character for you that I’m just wondering if you are okay.
From: Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 9:37 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Goodness, girl! I can’t take a night off of being aroused without arousing suspicion?
From: Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:42 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Ha! That was funny!
But seriously, you just haven’t seemed your “normal,” make-me-“Greene”-with-envy self for quite a while now and I wanted to make sure you were okay.
From: Shelley M
anning – August 22, 2012 – 9:47 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
I’m fine, Sweetie. And if you haven’t noticed, you don’t need to be – as you’ve joked about it – “Greene” with envy. You’ve got a great guy.
From: Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:48 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Are you bothered that you don’t have a great guy?
From: Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 9:54 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
My, oh my. These emails are becoming so serious. I just didn’t feel like hooking up last night. Don’t make it into something bigger than it is.
From: Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:59 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Okay, okay. But really, we are getting older. Maybe you are thinking that you want to find that someone special. Maybe you’ve already found that someone special and it scares you?
From: Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 10:04 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Oh, Sweetie. The beauty of life (and me, for that matter), is that it doesn’t matter how old you are. You can still be as immature as you want to be.
From: Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 10:05 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Come on! I’m being serious!
From: Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 10:07 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Renee Michele Greene! If this is another veiled attempt to get me to admit (not that I’m admitting anything!) that I have feeling for Finlay, well, I’m going to scream. But this is email. So I will just have to type in ALL CAPS. Again, I DO NOT LIKE FINLAY!
From: Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 10:09 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
I hear (read) you. I hear (read) you. I will drop the subject. Just glad to know you aren’t dying.
From: Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 10:10 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Just dying to stop having this conversation.
From: Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 10:12 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Message received! But thanks for bringing some levity back to things. I’d better get back to work. Talk with you later.
From: cassidy – August 28, 2012 – 12:04 PM
To:
Subject: Fwd: Cat-Man-Do
LOL!!!!
h’s & k’s,
cassidy
Chapter 12 – Da-Am Girl!
From: Renee Greene – August 30, 2012 – 11:58 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: DA-AM girl!
Ashley, you will totally appreciate this story. Shelley, you will too, but for a different reason.
Ashley, remember my younger cousin Nate, who was a really cute kid that used to have a big crush on you growing up? He’s now 22 and just returned back from LA after college in Virginia. I saw him this morning and he asked about you. I told him you were married with a baby on the way and he looked a wee bit crushed. I think he’s still harboring a little thing for you. Oh, and did I mention (this is the part Shelley will like) he’s smokin’ hot?
He stopped by the office to pick up some tickets for a football game that I offered to him. After he left, this is the conversation that transpired between me and our receptionist:
Receptionist: DA-AM girl! Who was that? He’s fiiiiine.
Me: Oh, him (pointing out the door). He’s my secret boyfriend.
Receptionist: Really? (Tone here is inquisitive and playful, like she’s impressed that not only would I have a guy on the sly, but he’d be “fiiiiine.”)
Me: No. Not really. He’s my cousin.
Receptionist: Really? (Tone here is completely incredulous, like she doesn’t believe me.)
Me: Really.
Receptionist: He’s your cousin? You and he are related?
Me: Yes.
Receptionist: He and you?
Me: Yes. I know. He’s really good looking and we come from the same gene pool.
So, apparently it was more plausible that I would be secretly dating a good looking guy than be related to one. Not sure if I should take this as a compliment or an insult. Thoughts?
From: Ashley Gordon – August 30, 2012 – 2:24 PM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: DA-AM girl!
Honestly, it’s hard to believe these things really happen to you.
So little Nate has a crush on me. I’m sure if he saw me now – complete with enormous and continuing to expand belly, varicose veins and stretch marks – he would go screaming for the hills. Although he might like the huge breasts I’ve sprouted. No, that’s definitely not enough to offset the regularly-scheduled vomiting and nausea.
From: Shelley Manning – August 30, 2012 – 3:12 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Cc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: DA-AM girl!
Ashley: Don’t get used to hearing things like this from me, but stop the whining! (Okay, that you should get used to, but not this next part.) You are the quintessential, beautiful, glowing pregnant woman.
Renee: I would just think of it this way. On a hotness scale of 1 to 10, you’re a solid 10 and he’s an 11.
From: Ashley Gordon – August 30, 2012 – 3:22 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: DA-AM girl!
I think I just may faint. Not only from hearing those words from you, Shelley, but that seems to be another annoying symptom of this pregnancy. UGH! Thanks, though.
From: Renee Greene – August 30, 2012 – 3:54 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Cc: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: DA-AM girl!
I like the way you think, Shel. And seriously, flattery will get you everywhere, my friend. As you once said to me: Even the waiter that calls me “Miss” gets a much better tip than the one who calls me “Ma’am.”
From: Shelley Manning – August 30, 2012 – 4:12 PM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: DA-AM girl!
You usually do like what I say. But you are so easy. You know, like me…but different.
From: Renee Greene – August 30, 2012 – 4:13 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: DA-AM girl!
HA! Right you are, Miss!
Chapter 13 – Finally!
From: Renee Greene – September 3, 2012 – 9:04 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: The Lion’s Den?
I can’t believe the day is almost here. I must say, I’m a bit nervous. Meeting Ethan’s sisters – all four of them – for the first time?!? I mean, meeting his parents when they were in town over the summer was one thing. They were super nice and mellow. And I was on my own turf. But this is like going into the lion’s (or lioness’) den. From what Ethan has told me, his four older sisters are very opinionated, very passionate, very outspoken and, most of all, very protective of him.
From: Shelley Manning – September 3, 2012 – 9:15 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: The Lion’s Den?
Sweetie, if anyone can charm the pants off of these Midwest mavens, it’s you. Put on your sweetest smile, ooze your easy-nature charm and charisma and, most importantly, bring gifts.
From: Ashley Gordon – September 3, 2012 – 10:01
AM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: The Lion’s Den?
I have to agree with Shelley on this one. Gifts are key.
From: Renee Greene – September 3, 2012 – 10:02 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Cc: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: The Lion’s Den?
Oh, so you don’t think my sweet smile and tons of charm can do the trick on their own?
From: Ashley Gordon – September 3, 2012 – 10:04 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: The Lion’s Den?
Consider the gifts the icing on your sweet and charming cake!
From: Shelley Manning – September 3, 2012 – 10:07AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Cc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: The Lion’s Den?
Always works on me. And I’m one tough cookie.
From: Ashley Gordon – September 3, 2012 – 10:09 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: The Lion’s Den?
Didn’t work when you met Cassidy for the first time and she brought flowers for us all.
From: Shelley Manning – September 3, 2012 – 10:12 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Cc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: The Lion’s Den?
She’s a lost cause. And as mentioned, I’m tough. But I’m sure his sisters can be easily bribed.
From: Renee Greene – September 3, 2012 – 10:15 AM