Tears you’re well aware you put there.
My hands tightened into fists as I watched her make her way across the street.
The click of her heels matched the slow, even rhythm of my breathing as I waited for her to say something.
Do something.
Even if it meant I was going to get slapped.
Kicked.
Maimed.
I held my breath when she finally stood in front of me. She was glorious. Her dark hair tumbled past one shoulder. She was wearing a slinky pink tank top and a leather skirt. When she crossed her arms, the jangling of the bangles on her wrist was the only noise that filled the air.
“Stalking again?” she said in an annoyed voice.
I leaned back against my car. “You’ve sort of left me no choice.”
Already we were garnering the attention of a few reporters who’d been camped outside the building for the past two hours.
“Ah, so now we’re talking about choices.” She pasted on a fake smile and said through clenched teeth, “Do you really want to go there?”
“I’ll go there all day.” I took a step closer. “I have nothing to hide anymore . . . nothing to lose. I’ve already lost the most important thing of all.”
She snorted. “What, your conscience?”
“My heart,” I whispered, reaching for her face then pulling my hand back at the last minute. “My soul.” Ah, fuck it, I cupped her face with both hands and pressed a kiss to her mouth. “I lost you.”
She didn’t kiss me back but she didn’t slap me either. She jerked away and pressed a hand to her forehead. “Please don’t kiss me.”
“I’ll do anything.” I ignored the way her rejection made my body go numb. “Anything, Isla.”
“You paid someone off,” she said. “The same someone you paid to destroy me, and then you slept with me and kept it from me. What other secrets are you keeping? How can I ever trust you?”
“I let my anger get in the way . . . I let my selfishness take away the most important part of my life—you. Give me a chance to prove myself.”
“You had a chance.”
The reporters were closing in.
I refused to panic.
Instead I fell to my knees and held both of her hands before she could step away from me. “What the hell are you doing?” she hissed.
“Proposing.”
“You already did that! They’re going to talk, you’ll ruin everything!”
The cameras got closer.
Talking got louder.
“Let them know it was fake.” I locked eyes with her. “Let them ruin me more . . . I don’t care anymore, Isla, if it means I can have you. I love you.”
A tear slid from her cheek onto the concrete.
“I miss us,” I confessed. “I miss your messy baking and the weird dragon bed. I almost lost it when I saw a fucking chicken, Isla, real tears. Gut-wrenching sobs . . . it wasn’t pretty.”
She tried not to smile.
It was like a balm to my soul when she couldn’t manage it.
And when she snorted out a laugh.
I knew I had her. “I just want you to do one thing.”
“Just one?”
“You don’t have to forgive me. But I need you to read this.” I placed a note in her palm. “And if the answer is still yes . . . you’ll know what to do.”
She frowned at our joined hands. I kissed the top of hers and stood just as the first reporter made it to our side.
“What were you just doing, Jessie?” a reporter asked.
“Groveling,” I said honestly. “Never had to do it before, never wanted to, kind of humbling.” I gave her one last look and got in my car.
And it was the vision of a small smile on her lips that gave me hope that maybe Goo-Poh was right, and it wasn’t over.
Chapter Sixty-Two
ISLA
I wasted no time. I locked myself in the bathroom and with shaking hands opened up the letter.
A Target gift card fell onto my lap. I set it aside and started to read the words Jessie clearly handwrote.
Isla,
Since you won’t speak to me, I think this is the only way to get the words out. I met Danica through a mutual friend. It’s true, I hired her to hack your system before I ever really knew what Dirty Exes was—or what it meant to you personally. You see, I had this image of a man-hating company that set out to ruin lives—not save them.
And then I saw your business plan.
And then I read your files.
And then I read your ten-year plan.
And if that wasn’t enough to convince me, I spent more and more time with you. My boring white-and-black life suddenly experienced the equivalent of a rainbow shitting on it.
You’re the rainbow in this scenario, just in case you were confused.
I’m the shit.
But back to Danica. I hadn’t heard from her in a while and I was so consumed with myself—and then so consumed with you—that when I heard you mention her that first night we slept together, I panicked.
We were just getting to know each other.
And I selfishly chose us, chose what was happening over a confession that might separate us forever, like a dumbass.
She refused to return my phone calls, texts, emails. I assumed that she’d taken the money I’d given her and run.
Instead, she threatened Blaire. Her price was two million.
Which I gladly paid.
Because I love you.
Because I’m an idiot and didn’t come to you first and ask if that’s what you really wanted. I just wanted it to go away, I handled it the way the old Jessie would have handled it.
But I was wrong.
I chose to take care of it and then tell you later. I figured I’d be your hero after you slapped me a few times. Instead you found out from someone other than me.
And here we are.
If you take away anything from this note, take away this: I’m sorry. And I love you.
I never knew true pain until you walked out of my life. I’ve never deserved it more, and that’s the hardest part. I can’t argue a case I can’t win. But I can hope that one day you’ll forgive me.
Isla, I want to be with you.
Not just for the news.
Not just to get a stupid nonprofit to look at me twice again.
I want you because I love you.
Because I want to be part of an “us.”
Because I want that us to turn into an even bigger us.
I’m ready for that next step.
Two weeks ago I proposed.
Two weeks ago I fell even harder for the woman I became attracted to over a year ago.
Fall with me?
I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the aisle if you say yes.
Oh, and the Target gift card is for you. Go wild. I may have decorated a few rooms, but I left you the best ones. My only request is this: color.
Make the rooms brighten my life.
Just like you.
I love you,
Jessie
Tears streamed down my cheeks in rapid succession until I couldn’t see the letter anymore.
Someone pounded on the door, then I heard Blaire’s voice. “Isla?”
“What?” I wiped my nose.
“Um, Goo-Poh’s here.”
Oh hell.
“Okay.”
“She wants to know your answer.”
“What?”
“To the letter.” She yelled through the door, “Oh, and she brought your dress, something about you still getting married tomorrow. I told her she was senile and I think she cursed my future children. Can you maybe come out?”
I wiped more tears and laughed, a real laugh, one that felt like a fresh start. One that made me think of Jessie and his damn Target gift card.
I fixed my mascara-streaked cheeks and opened the door just in time for Goo-Poh to continue her tirade around my office.
She brought food.
Shock of th
e century.
And she was currently holding out chopsticks to Abby, who seemed too petrified to say no.
“Goo-Poh.” I crossed my arms. “Or should I say traitor?”
“I know nothing.” Goo-Poh shrugged. “He is a good strong man, and he’s sorry. I told him if you would not listen to his words in person, he should put them on paper . . .” That was smart. “So your children can see how romantic he is. It shows good fortune.”
And there it is.
I grinned.
Her lips twitched.
I pulled her into my arms for a hug.
She stiffened at first and then leaned up and kissed my cheek. “You’re getting married, then?”
“Did I ever really have another choice?” I rolled my eyes.
“No,” she said in a serious tone and lightly tapped my cheek. “You did not.”
“Thought so.”
“Goo-Poh, since it’s the day of confessions—”
“What?” She looked so hopeful.
Yeah, Jessie better knock me up soon.
I should be petrified.
Instead it only made me laugh.
With our luck . . .
“I love you,” I said.
She nodded and then shoved more food in front of me. “Eat. You look too thin.”
Her way of saying “I love you” back.
Close enough.
Chapter Sixty-Three
JESSIE
“What if she doesn’t show up?” I checked my watch again. Everything was perfect. Goo-Poh had outdone herself, and the owners of the event center had made everything look gorgeous.
We went with soft purple lighting against white backdrops. All of the tables were topped with a dragon—not my doing—and while it was an intimate wedding with only close friends and family, Goo-Poh had managed to fill the entire place with people from her retirement home, Stanley included, though he didn’t look happy about it.
“She will,” Colin encouraged again, checking his watch too.
It wasn’t even that I would be embarrassed to be stood up.
It was the simple fact that she would be saying goodbye.
I wasn’t sure I could take it.
And when Wayne and Vanessa walked in and sat down, I was ready to puke my guts out.
“Were they invited?” I said out of the corner of my mouth.
“Nope.” Colin nodded to them. “Weird.”
“I may strangle those two. I can’t go to prison on my wedding day.”
“And I can’t commit . . . what’s the word for killing one’s sister?”
The wedding march started.
I sucked in a breath. “Is she here?”
Guests looked around.
Suddenly the doors burst open and there was Goo-Poh, with Isla on one arm and a knowing smile—the first one I’d ever received from her and probably ever would—firmly planted on her face. Head held high, she even winked at me.
And then my eyes fell to Isla.
Her dress.
That dress.
My mouth went dry as my eyes strained to take her in. It had capped sleeves and lace embellishments, but my favorite part? She’d added pieces of red lace on the bottom.
And short red gloves with a red-and-white bouquet.
I’d never been happier to see that color in my entire life.
Her eyes met mine.
And instinct took over.
I ran toward her.
I was done waiting.
I met her in the middle of the aisle right next to Wayne and Vanessa.
“I love you,” I said in a hoarse voice. “I’m so—”
She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me, fused her mouth to mine in a way I’d been dreaming of for a week. I picked her up and twirled her as people cheered.
I got smacked in the back. I put Isla down while Goo-Poh shook her head. “After the ceremony.”
“Right.” I walked with them to the front and looked around. Who the hell was officiating, and why hadn’t I noticed that nobody was standing there?
Goo-Poh cleared her throat.
And Stanley, very slowly, went to the front and held out a Bible. “Who gives this woman?”
“I do!” Goo-Poh said, then added something in Chinese.
Stanley stared at her a few seconds before mumbling, “Then do it, already.”
“Pain in my ass,” Goo-Poh said under her breath before kissing Isla on both cheeks and placing her hand on mine. “You will have good fortune. Many children. You will be happy.”
With a nod she went to her seat next to Blaire and pulled out a tissue.
We faced Stanley, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere, hell included, than in this room.
“If anyone is against this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.” He looked into the crowd.
People gasped as someone stood.
I froze and turned.
Vanessa had tears in her eyes.
Oh, hell no, she wasn’t going to ruin this for me.
Wayne nodded at her and patted her hand.
“It’s not what you think,” she whispered. “I just wanted to say . . . be . . . I’m . . .” Wayne eyed her like this was her punishment. “Sorry. And be happy.” He nodded again and she sat.
“Well, that wasn’t normal.” Stanley peered around at Goo-Poh. “Alright, marriage is—”
I tuned him out and focused on Isla. On the feel of her palm pressed against mine.
The way she said her vows.
The clear expression of love she sent me.
And hopefully forgiveness.
“You may kiss your bride,” Stanley said.
“Finally.” I mauled her with a deep kiss, then lifted her into the air while people cheered. When I set her down, she had tears in her eyes.
Mine mirrored hers.
“This is crazy,” she said.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “But it’s right.”
“It is,” she whispered before kissing me again in front of everyone.
It wasn’t until Goo-Poh started yelling that we broke apart. And even then, all I kept thinking was, I can’t wait to show this woman our home.
Chapter Sixty-Four
ISLA
He wouldn’t let go of my hand or stop touching me.
I just wanted to leave.
To talk to him.
Kiss him.
Show him his wedding gift.
Instead we were stuck at a reception with old people.
They even brought the ones with the walkers, who were currently trying to perform “Thriller” out on the dance floor.
A cane went flying at one point, narrowly missing the cake.
Goo-Poh just shook her head.
Stanley brought her wine.
I think it was his way of drugging her, because she sniffed it before forcing one of her minions to take the first sip.
Sigh. Some things never change, do they?
I glanced up at Jessie, and some things . . . have no choice but to change.
I squeezed his hand.
“Isla.” Wayne’s voice had me ready to run for the hills.
Slowly, I turned. Wayne looked . . . tired.
Vanessa wasn’t by his side, then again I wasn’t actively searching for her.
“Wayne.” I cleared my throat as Jessie wrapped a possessive arm around me.
“I hope that was adequate.”
Adequate?
“Pardon?” I was so confused. “What do you mean adequate?”
“For everything that happened.” Now he looked confused. “The tapes? The information on Dirty Exes? I thought you knew?”
Jessie was the first to speak. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You didn’t get Danica’s name by accident. When I noticed the money leaving the account I shared with Vanessa, I knew something was up.” Bad idea there, buddy, sharing an account with that woman, I thought. “I confronted Vanessa and she confessed everything: how she set you up and
tricked your friend into giving you Danica’s name, how she paid Danica double the amount you did for the information she collected. I’m sorry. Had I known, I would have put a stop to it right away.”
Yeah, keep her on a tight leash. I shuddered.
“Well, there goes two million.” Jessie laughed.
“Oh, Danica’s being prosecuted for extortion.” Wayne seemed pleased with himself. “The money will be returned after the case is closed. I hope we’re . . . good.” He looked between us. “I think it will be good for Vanessa to see closure on this end, maybe then she’ll say yes.”
I gaped.
Then gaped some more.
No words would come.
“I love her.” He said it so sheepishly.
By then she was making her way over to us and actually blushing when he turned and grabbed her hand.
Huh.
“She has trouble letting things go,” he continued.
Understatement of the actual century there, buddy.
“Ready?” He kissed her neck, she giggled. She met Jessie’s gaze then mine and nodded goodbye.
“What the hell just happened?” Jessie said out loud.
“How are you not getting arrested right now?” Colin came up behind us out of breath. “I saw you guys talking like normal adults, so I panicked and ran over as fast as I could.”
“Wow.” Jessie whistled. “What was that? Twenty feet in five minutes? Well done, I think Stanley sprints faster.”
Colin gave us the finger as Blaire reached his side. “What was that?”
“Alternate reality,” Jessie finally said. “Apparently Danica was working for Vanessa too. Vanessa was also trying to get dirt on Dirty Exes and paid more than I did, so basically we both paid her to do the same damn job. I stooped just as low as Vanessa, I’m such a jackass.”
I hung my head. “Vanessa is sorry in some strange way, Danica is going to prison for extortion, and somehow Wayne . . . loves her and knows how to deal with her level of crazy.”
Blaire tilted her head. “Really, though?”
“My sister?” Colin needed clarification. “Vanessa?”
“Yup.” I gave my head a shake just as techno took over the sound system. Stanley jumped up and went to the middle of the dance floor while Goo-Poh sat on her throne surrounded by her women.
“Some things can’t be unseen,” Colin said under his breath.
“Hey, best man, one last job for the day . . .” Jessie slapped him on the shoulder. “Make sure none of the old people get drunk and take off their clothes. We’re headed out.”
Dangerous Exes (Liars, Inc. Book 2) Page 23