by Lisa Becker
From: cassidy – September 16, 2013 – 5:24 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
maybe you just need a bit of time. i will call you next week.
From: Renee Greene – September 16, 2013 – 5:25 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: wonderful
Stay strong! You're doing great!
From: Mark Finlay – September 16, 2013 – 5:27 PM
To: cassidy
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
I don't need any time. I just need to move on with my life. And I can't do that if you're still around.
From: cassidy – September 16, 2013 – 5:28 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
dont give up on me.
From: Mark Finlay – September 16, 2013 – 5:29 PM
To: cassidy
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
You gave up on us!
From: cassidy – September 16, 2013 – 5:30 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
im sorry. is this about what your friends will think?
From: Mark Finlay – September 16, 2013 – 5:35 PM
To: cassidy
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
This has nothing to do with what my friends or anyone else will think. This has to do with whether I can look at myself in the mirror and not feel like a fool and look at you and not feel complete betrayal.
From: cassidy – September 16, 2013 – 5:39 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
im sorry. i messed up. it will never happen again. why cant you forgive me?
From: Mark Finlay – September 16, 2013 – 5:42 PM
To: cassidy
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
I just can't. Goodbye, Cass.
From: Renee Greene – September 16, 2013 – 5:45 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: wonderful
I know how hard that must have been. We are all here for you. Let us know what we can do for you.
From: Mark Finlay – September 16, 2013 – 5:46 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: wonderful
Thanks. I'll call you later this week.
From: cassidy – September 16, 2013 – 8:02 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: your help
renee, i know you probably dont want to talk to me or help me but im asking for it anyway. i think mark wants to get back together with me but is worried about what you and shelley will think. i know i hurt him and im sorry for that. it wont happen again. can you talk to him for me. maybe you can convince him to give me another chance.
From: Renee Greene – September 16, 2013 – 9:04 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Fwd: your help
Ay yay yay! See below. So Mark and Cassidy hooked up last night. She went there to get some stuff and before he knew it, they fell back into old patterns and back into bed. He thinks he still loves her but knows he can't trust her or be with her.
He bcc'd me on his "it's over" emails while I secretly gave him encouragement to break it off with her for good. Now she's emailing me asking for my help to get them back together. As I said, ay yay yay!
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 8:22 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
I thought I told her to leave us all alone! Well, you're right. She can't be trusted and he has to stay broken up with her. I know Finlay's a nice guy and probably doesn't want to hurt her even though she doesn't deserve any mercy.
But I'm kind of surprised that he would shift the blame onto us; that the reason he won't take her back is because of what we would think. He needs to grow a pair and tell her the reason he won't take her back is because she's a lying, cheating whore.
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 9:12 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
Get this. He never said that to her. In fact, she suggested that we were the ones holding him back from getting back together with her.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 10:31 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
That conniving bitch. She's trying to manipulate you into being her advocate.
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 10:37 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
I was so caught up in the awkwardness of her asking for my help when I'm helping Mark, I didn't even see that. She's a lot smarter than I had given her credit for. If Mark hadn't copied me on those emails, I might have believed that was true. I see how hard he's aching and wants to get to a happy place.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 10:41 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
Well he's not getting back together with her if I have anything to say about it. The little respect I have for Finlay would be gone if he went back to that tramp.
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 10:44 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
I must say I would be disappointed too if he got back together with her. He deserves to be with someone who loves him and cherishes him.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 10:47 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
He deserves someone who doesn’t fuck someone behind his back and then gets caught on camera for the world to see. How humiliating.
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 10:49 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
Agreed! Now I just need to think of a response to her.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 10:50 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
I'll gladly handle it.
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 10:51 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
No! I will respond. I just need some time to craft the right message.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 10:52 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
Don't forget to bcc me!
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 10:53 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
Oh, you know I won't.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 10:54 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
You won't bcc me or you won't forget?
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 10:54 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
I won't forget!
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 10:54 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: your help
Good girl. Mwah! Mwah!
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 12:43 PM
To: cassidy
Bcc: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: your help
Cassidy: I can appreciate that you still care for Mark and want a chance to make amends. But I can't help you.
I don't like you. I don't like how you betrayed the trust of my dear, dear friend and broke his heart. And I don't like how you tried to manipulate me into helping you by making it sound like I was the reason he didn't want to get back together with you.
(Mark bcc'd me on his email exchange with you. So I know what you said and I know what he said.)
I will have the rest of your stuff tomorrow and will leave it at the front desk of my office. You remember how to get here. It's where you returned the engagement ring Mark spent hours researching/shopping for so he could make sure to get just the right one because that's the kind of thoughtful, generous and loving man he is. The kind of man you don't deserve.
Please don't make this harder or more awkward. If you really care for Mark, leave him alone so he can move on and find happiness.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 12:50 PM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: cassidy
Subject: Re: your help
Couldn't have said it better myself, unless I threw in a few expletives and profanity-laden insults to that lying bitch.
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 12:52 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: your help
You realize that once again you didn't remove Cassidy from a cc on an email.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 12:55 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: your help
Oh yes, I realize that. I did that on purpose. I wanted to let her know that I'm well aware of everything going on.
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 12:56 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: your help
Putting the fear of God in her, huh?
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 12:56 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: your help
You know that's right.
From: Renee Greene – September 17, 2013 – 12:57 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: your help
And always causing trouble.
From: Shelley Manning – September 17, 2013 – 12:57 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: your help
You know that's right, too. Mwah! Mwah!
From: cassidy – September 17, 2013 – 3:34 PM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: your help
ill come by tomorrow afternoon.
Chapter 10 – Wedding Planning
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 2:13 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: What the hell?
Why did a UPS truck just unload 4 enormous shipping boxes from Zappos? This stuff barely fits in the apartment. I know you love shoes, but this is ridiculous!
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 2:17 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
Wow! That was fast. I thought they wouldn't arrive until Monday. Just doing some shoe shopping for the wedding. I'm just running the last of my Saturday errands. Be home soon. XO
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 2:19 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: What the hell?
You bought all of these shoes - there must be 20 pairs of them - for the wedding? Planning some award-show-style wardrobe changes throughout the night? Don't answer that! It's like the ring is on the finger and all common sense is out the window.
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 2:26 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
Calm down! There are only 18 pairs of shoes in those four boxes. Now before you get your boxers in a twist, I'm just kidding. Well, I'm not kidding about the number of shoes. There really are 18 pairs.
But I am kidding about keeping them all. You're a guy so you don't “get” shoes. It's hard to find the perfect pair of heels that aren't too high or too low, that are the right color and style, and you can wear all night long.
So I ordered every pair online that looked like even a remote possibility. I need to try them on and pick the one that's the perfect glass slipper for my fairy tale. Then I just return the rest. Free shipping and free returns. So stop hyperventilating. I know what I'm doing.
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 2:29 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: What the hell?
All right then. Carry on.
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 2:31 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
That's all. No apology for jumping to conclusions and overreacting?
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 2:35 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: What the hell?
Considering all of the deposits I've been putting down these past few weeks for a photographer, videographer, florist, caterer, venue, etc., I figured it wasn’t that big of a leap to think you were spending more…again.
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 2:39 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
You're the one who didn't want to let my parents pay for the wedding. They generously offered to foot the bill for everything. YOU declined, remember?
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 2:41 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: What the hell?
If your parents are paying, then I may not get what I want. And I have specific interests here.
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 2:44 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
Specific interests, my ass. Everytime I try to talk with you about these things, you say, "Whatever you want." The only thing you've taken an interest in is the food and the cake. Figures! I've heard of Bridezilla before, but Groomzilla?
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 2:45 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: What the hell?
I can't tell if you are really mad at me.
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 2:46 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
Of course not. I'm literally shaking my head and laughing as I wait in the line at the drycleaners.
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 2:48 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: What the hell?
Good. I just want this to be a great day for us and that means letting you have everything you want and letting me have a peanut butter cup groom's cake.
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 2:52 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
I know that, Babe. I want this to be a great day for us too. And I am being cost conscious. It's lucky for you that I am a consumate PR professional with experience planning major events and great contacts within the industry for discounts galore. We don't need to hire a wedding planner. We've got one in me.
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 2:56 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: What the hell?
I'm thrilled to save the money on a wedding planner and appreciate your efforts to save us some dough. But I don't want this stressing you out. No use saving on a wedding planner only to need a mediator, therapist or masseuse later.
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 2:59 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
Ha! Ha! I can pretty much guarantee a mediator and therapist won't be needed. But a massage sounds mighty nice. Be home soon so you can rub my aching shoulders.
From: PBCupLover – September 21, 2013 – 3:01 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: What the hell?
I'd be happy to help but I think you're going to be too busy trying on shoes.
From: Renee Greene – September 21, 2013 – 3:03 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: What the hell?
I totally forgot about all of those beautiful shoes. Squee! See you soon!
From: Renee Greene – September 26, 2013 – 1:12 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: I'm here
Hi there. Just wanted to let you know that I'm here if you need anything or want to talk.
From: Mark Finlay – September 26, 2013 – 1:18 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: I'm here
I know and thanks. I just don't get it. I don't lie and pretend to be into a girl just to get her into bed. I call back and pay attention. Yet I'm single…for the minute I’m not single, I get cheated on.
From: Renee Greene – September 26, 2013 – 1:20 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: I'm here
You're right. It's totally not fair. You're one of the good guys and you deserve far better.
From: Mark Finlay – September 26, 2013 – 1:22 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: I'm here
I'm just going to focus on work. At least there I know that my efforts pay off.
From: Renee Greene – September 26, 2013 – 1:26 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: I'm here
Don't give up on love, Mark. I know you're hurting right now. Really, really hurting. But I promise you that it's out there. Things will get set right. I just know it.
From: Mark Finlay – September 26, 2013 – 1:28 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: I'm here
Thanks, Renee. Let's grab some lunch next week. Okay?
From: Renee Greene – September 26, 2013 – 1:29 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: I'm here