“So, don’t cheat and stay married for at least five years and a day,” I say, exasperation woven into my voice.
She downs another shot. “Because after five years, I only get a few nickels.”
“Then I suggest you hire your own lawyer. Negotiate.”
She sets her glass down with a clatter and spins around, crossing the room again. This time, she doesn’t head to the couch. She doesn’t stop until we’re toe to toe. Lifting her hands, she presses them against my chest. “Lance, you never should have broken up with me. We were good together.”
“Until we weren’t.”
She continues as if I didn’t interrupt, her palms climbing up my shirt until her fingers are wrapped around the back of my neck. “We were so good together. We can be that way again. Please, Lance. Let’s try again.”
I pull at Missy’s wrists, but she doesn’t let go. She presses herself against me, her lips kissing my neck. “That girl can’t make you happy, not like me. You need—”
I untangle myself from Missy’s embrace and step back. “Her name is Vivienne. And she’s made me happier than I’ve ever been before. If I need anyone, it’s her.”
Chapter 37
Lance
After Missy leaves, I go for a long run along the water’s edge with the intention of clearing my mind. But what I said follows me. Not my parting shot about getting the fuck out of my house. But that Vivienne makes me happy. One word. Two syllables. It chases me down the sand, in tune with my footfalls. hap-py, hap-py, hap-py. For miles.
I just don’t know what to do about it. About Vivienne.
I’ve only just returned when Vivienne herself walks through the door. She skirts by me and goes straight to the living room, picking up the pillows that fell to the floor and setting them back on the couch. Rearranging every other pillow until she finally stands back and surveys the rest of the house, looking for anything out of place. It’s a habit of hers, a cute quirk.
Spotting the glass on the bar cart and the opened bottle, she heads toward it. “Want me to refill your drink?”
“Ah—”
She stills when she picks up the glass with Missy’s lipstick clearly imprinted on the edge.
“It’s Missy’s,” I begin, but Vivienne cuts me off.
She carries it to the kitchen and places it in the sink. “You don’t owe me an explanation, Lance.” Spinning around, she leans back against the countertop. “I’m just your girlfriend for hire, remember?”
I rub at my chest, hating the wounded look on her face.
Joining Vivienne in the kitchen, I take hold of her shoulders. “How about we take the night off—from everything. Let’s go back to the beginning.” My palms slide down her upper arms, and I take a step back, then extend my right hand. “Hey, I’m Lance Welles. I’ll be living here for the rest of the summer.”
Her eyes drop, my heartbeat thundering as I wait for her to decide whether to give me another chance. Finally, her chin lifts. She meets my gaze again, slowly shaking her head. “I don’t think—”
“Please,” I urge, knowing I sound desperate and not caring. Hell, I am desperate. “Humor me.”
She blinks. She sighs. And then, finally, she slides her palm against mine. “I’m Vivienne Radcliffe. And I’m taking care of the house for the summer.”
“Nice to meet you, Vivienne.” I steel my nerves. “I bought this place a while back and expected it to be vacant. Finding you here is a bit of a surprise.”
Disappointment flattens her lips as she snatches her hand from my grip. “I thought we were taking the night off from lying.”
“We are,” I say solemnly. “I own this house.”
Her jaw loosens, brows knitting together in consternation. “So, you lied to me from the very beginning?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you yet. And at first, I thought you might be in on the scam Seth was running. ”
“A scam that had me cleaning toilets and mopping floors?”
“Well, you were pretty content to share your workload.” My attempt at humor falls flat, and I run a hand through my hair, pinching the tightness at the back of my neck. “Once I figured out it was just Seth, I also knew that telling you the truth would essentially mean kicking you out.”
“That was my choice to make, not yours.”
“If I told you the truth right away, what would have happened?”
“I would have packed my things and left.”
“To go where—the dump in Quogue? Back to your parents?”
“What did you care? You didn’t know me.”
“No. I only knew that this gorgeous, sarcastic, irreverent girl was in my house, and I wanted her to stay.” I turn my head, looking through the window at the backyard. The lounge chairs, fire pit, and gazebo that Vivienne chose with such care. The garden that’s thriving because of her efforts. “That’s the extent of my diabolical plan. I just wanted you to stay.”
Her affronted veneer cracks slightly. “You had Seth lie to me.”
“I told him to say that I’d leased the house, to return the money he took, and to find somewhere else for everyone he conned.” I bite my lip, hazarding a small grin. “I did not, however, suggest that place to be in Quogue.”
The lightest of laughs slips through Vivienne’s mouth. “He’s such a douche.”
“No argument here.”
She looks over my shoulder. “Well, at least now I know none of this will be destroyed by renters next summer.” Frowning, she looks back at me. “Or are you planning to lease it out?”
I shake my head. “No. I like keeping what’s mine.”
Her gaze darkens to the shade of wet moss. “Just because you’re paying me, doesn’t mean I’m yours. You bought my time, but nothing more. I’m not for sale, Lance.”
I regard her silently for a moment. Nothing that truly matters can be bought. “So, how about it? Can we take the night off? No pretending, no lies. Pick up tomorrow and see where we’re at.”
Her eyes narrow. “Are you saying that because you want to get in my pants?” Skepticism is woven through every syllable.
“No,” I say firmly, then add, “Not that I don’t want to. But I’m a grown-ass man, I can keep my hands to myself if that’s what you want.”
A few beats go by. Enough time for me to wish, yet again, that I could get inside her mind as easily as hacking a top-secret military mainframe. I’d give just about anything to know what she’s thinking. To my surprise, Vivienne hooks her pinky through mine. “I like your hands.” Her chin lifts, her gaze steady as the corners of her mouth twitch upward, just barely, in a cautious half smile. “Thank you for telling me the truth.”
Relief hits hard. “I should have told you sooner.”
“True. But you have now. And I think you’re right. We deserve a night off. Two people, one house, no lies.”
I want to sweep her into my arms and kiss her until she melts against me, but I settle for shaking her pinky. “Deal.”