“No problem.” I already knew the address.
“You’re a lifesaver, Olivia.”
Now, where had I heard that before?
27 KERRIE
When I arrived at Jordana’s building, the doorman rushed to help me out of my taxi and then escorted me inside. So that’s what doormen are for.
“Hi, I’m Olivia Lewis. Here for Jordana Pierson. She said you’d have a key for me.” I smiled politely.
“Sure thing. Got it right here!” Joseph—his name was monogrammed on the breast of his starched gray uniform—smiled back. “Just return it to Bill on the way out. I’m off in”—he consulted his watch—“five minutes. Goin’ home to the family. Six kids. Would you believe it?”
“Wow, that’s a lot of kids,” I acknowledged, and then headed straight for the elevator.
Upon reaching the eleventh floor, I found that Jordana’s apartment was the only one there, unlike in my building where there are ten apartments, five on each side of the hallway. I turned the key in the lock and let myself in.
When I tell you that I gasped, I swear it’s not an exaggeration. It’s one thing to peruse photos in a magazine, but to experience the real thing—in person—is another story altogether. In a word, it was majestic. The entryway alone felt like the size of a football field. And everything was white. The floors, the walls, the furniture. I remember the article calling the style “enriched minimalism.” I had no idea what that meant until now. I also remember it saying that the space was over four thousand square feet. Four thousand square feet! I’ve never been in a house that large.
I found my way into the kitchen, just to check it out. White marble everywhere. Or was it granite? I have a hard time deciphering the two. There was also the most amazing refrigerator I’ve ever seen. It had a glass front so you could view all the neatly organized bottles of Pellegrino and Dom Pérignon. I wondered if they’d notice if I swiped one.
I wandered around some more and then made my way up to the bedroom to pack Jordana’s things. Her list and corresponding directions were so thorough it only took a few minutes, so—once I’d finished—I sat down on her four-poster bed. I needed a moment to let everything sink in.
I felt more resentful than ever. And the need to leave before I did something I regretted to this apartment.
When I got downstairs, I left the bag I’d packed with Bill and let him know that a messenger would be by to retrieve it within the hour.
It had been my intention to head home so I could order in dinner and catch up on Game of Thrones before Sara came over. But instead, I had a better idea.
I walked a couple of blocks, hailed a cab, and took it straight down to Wall Street and Water. Straight to the Andaz hotel, where I planned to sit on a park bench outside and eat the roast beef sandwich I’d purchased at a nearby bodega. I thought maybe I could catch John in the actual act of cheating. Well, not so much in the act, but perhaps I could bear witness to a hasty departure—a march of dishonor, if you like.
Just because we’re supposed to be targeting Arthur doesn’t mean I can’t go after Jordana in other ways.
Unfortunately, just as I was about to unwrap my sandwich, my phone rang.
“Hello,” I answered, smiling once I realized it was William.
“Hey, friend. What are you up to?” I felt a little flutter in my chest.
“Not much.” You know, the usual, just stalking my boss’s husband.
“Can you meet me for a quick bite? I need to talk to you again.”
“Um, sure, yeah. That’s fine. Where?” I tried to sound casual, but I was more nervous than usual about seeing him. What if I unintentionally revealed something about our plan to ruin his future father-in-law?
“How about the Silver Star Restaurant on Sixty-Fifth and Second. Does that work?”
“Yup.” No point in raising questions about why I was so far downtown.
“Great, I’ll see you soon.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, I was back uptown, seated across from William in a torn, faux-leather booth.
“This doesn’t strike me as your scene.” I lifted a spoonful of onion soup to my lips and tried not to slurp. I may not be truly sophisticated, but I try.
“I wanted someplace where I wouldn’t bump into a million people I know. And anyway, aren’t diners everyone’s scene?” William took a generous bite of his turkey club. A dollop of mayonnaise oozed out the back and dropped onto his french fries. The rest was smeared across his cheek. I defied the impulse to reach out and brush it away with my thumb.
“You’re asking the wrong person. I don’t eat out much. And when I do, this is about as upscale as it gets.” I glanced at the revolving display cases full of fluorescent-lit cake slices and tapioca pudding.
“Trust me, most of the fancy restaurants aren’t worth their eighty-dollar steaks and fifty-dollar hamburgers.”
“Fifty dollars for a hamburger?” I almost choked on a glob of cheese. “That’s insane. What the hell is in it?”
“A little foie gras. Some truffles.”
“They put chocolate in the burger?” Gross.
“Truffles, as in mushrooms.” He laughed, bringing out his dimple. Again, I resisted the urge to reach out and touch his face. “You crack me up.”
“So what’s going on? You sounded upset on the phone.”
He sighed and slumped his shoulders. “I’m struggling.”
“With what?” I had an idea, but I wanted to hear him say it.
“With this wedding. With Tatiana. Things have been really weird lately.”
“Weird like how?” I probed, but didn’t push. William has enough pressure on him.
“Like, I tried what you suggested. I sat Tatiana down the other night and I said, ‘Let’s elope. Let’s just forget the whole wedding, leave town, and get married on a beach somewhere. Just the two of us.’ ” Suddenly I was queasy. That wasn’t what I’d hoped he was going to say.
“And?”
“And she wasn’t into it.”
“Were you surprised by that?” I caught my reflection in the mirror next to me. I looked tired, maybe even older.
“A little.”
“I’m really sorry.”
“She said it was out of the question. That her parents would be furious. That they’ve already spent far too much money. Not to mention the social humiliation they’d endure if The Wedding of the Century didn’t go off without a hitch.”
“We’re still calling it that?” I wrinkled my nose, then took a sip of my Diet Coke.
“I know, right?”
“Okay, so I get what Tatiana is saying about the wedding. Because I agree that Caroline would freak out. But what does that have to do with your feelings? I mean, you did agree to the wedding in the first place.” I wanted to get to the heart of it. I wanted him to tell me he didn’t love Tatiana anymore. And not just so I wouldn’t feel so damn guilty about possibly ruining his fiancé’s father’s life.
“It doesn’t. Or maybe it does. It’s all tied together. Money makes people act in ways they shouldn’t. I promise you, Tatiana did not used to be this way.”
“I know, you’ve told me that. But she’s always been rich, hasn’t she?”
“Yes. It just takes on more meaning as you get older. When you feel the pressure to define yourself in other people’s eyes. I told you, when we were in college, she was pretty normal. She never said who her parents were or what she came from. It was almost like she was embarrassed by it. The complete opposite of how it is now.” I watched as he tried to conjure other examples of her purported normality. “She used to go to the movies without having to wipe the seats down with sanitizer and bring her own sugar-free snacks. She used to shave her own legs. She once backpacked through Europe and stayed in . . . hostels.”
“Come on.”
“It’s true. And despite what you may think, Tatiana is smart. She was an economics major and she got into Yale Law School.”
“What?”
“Okay, so Arthur did go there. For undergrad, too. But even without his influence, she would have gotten in somewhere decent.”
“I take it she didn’t go? To Yale.”
“Clearly not.” Go ahead, twist the sword. “Can I tell you a secret?” His eyes locked with mine and a smile crept up behind them. I knew he was going to divulge something juicy. Something he knew I’d want to hear.
“You mean another secret?” I teased.
“Okay, ready.” He paused for effect. “Tatiana used to be chubby.”
“Shut up!” I looked over both shoulders. “Don’t let the word get out,” I whispered.
He grinned.
“I don’t believe you anyway.”
“I’m not lying. Cross my heart and hope to die!” He drew an imaginary X on his chest.
“Okay, so how chubby are we talking?”
“Don’t get me wrong—she wasn’t fat, by any means, just solid. A good ten to fifteen pounds above average.” I tried to imagine Tatiana as anything but skin and bones. I couldn’t. Her gauntness defines her. “And you know, the thing is, I liked her that way. She was natural. She was happy. Now she’s just distant. And cranky all the time. I’m not even sure she’s in love with me anymore.”
Oh wow. My heart ached for him. Who in their right mind wouldn’t love William? He’s perfect in every way.
“Maybe you need some time to think about things?” I nudged gently. I can’t be the one to tell him to call things off with Tatiana. Even though I want to.
“I don’t have time to think. The wedding will be here before we know it.” We sat in silence for a minute. “Let’s get out of here.” He motioned to the waiter for a check.
“Sure.”
“You live near here, right?”
“Not far.”
“Great, I’ll walk you home.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I may not have to, but I want to. As long as you don’t have a hot date waiting for you.”
“Nope, no hot dates to speak of.” Just you.
“Great, then we’ll take the long route so we can grab some ice cream.”
“Perfect.” I smiled, as we exited the diner and stepped outside onto the sidewalk. It was a gorgeous night. The kind filled with promise. Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about Arthur. And how the fallout—if there is one—will affect William. If he gets hurt in all of this, I’ll never forgive myself.
“I wonder if all in-law relationships are a little awkward,” I mentioned as we strolled up Second Avenue. If William thought the comment was out of left field, he didn’t say so.
“It’s not that I don’t like them.” He didn’t sound convinced. “As you know, Caroline is a handful. But her bite isn’t as bad as her bark.”
“Really?”
“No, not really.” He laughed. “Let’s just say she’s very different from how my own mother was.”
“In what way?”
“My mother had a heart.”
“Nice.”
“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, she’s as sweet as she can be to me. But that’s because I serve a purpose for her.”
“By marrying her daughter.”
“Bingo.” He smiled, but it was weighted with uncertainty.
“And Arthur?”
“Like I told you, he’s not the greatest guy, to say the least. But he treats me reasonably well. We play golf together sometimes. He calls me ‘son’ when he’s had a few drinks and there are other people around. That’s not the real Arthur, though.”
“I’ve heard.”
“Oh yeah?” He turned toward me.
“Just a little. Some stuff I’ve read online,” I lied.
“I’m sure that barely scratches the surface. He’s very private. The one thing he hates most is when people try to get into his business.” Great. “He won’t even stay at a resort with other people. Doesn’t like to be observed in a relaxed atmosphere. He thinks it’s a sign of weakness.”
“So they don’t go on vacations?”
“They have a number of homes, but mainly they go to Camp David.”
“Like, the president’s Camp David?”
“No. Their Camp David. Ridiculous, right?”
“Just a little.”
“Anyway, that’s where they escape to. Even I’ve only been there once and that wasn’t until after I’d proposed. And it was at Tatiana’s insistence. I don’t think Arthur was too thrilled about it.”
“Where is it?”
“If I told you I’d have to kill you.” He nudged me with his arm.
“Really?”
“Not really. But you get the idea.” William pointed to a small ice cream shop on the corner, which brought an abrupt end to our conversation about Arthur. “This is the spot. It’s a hole in the wall, but they have the best mint chip.”
“Mint chip is my favorite.”
“Mine too.” He placed his hand on the small of my back to lead me inside. “We’re a match made in ice cream heaven.” Then he smiled at the man behind the counter and said, “The lady and I will each have a double cone of mint chip.”
“Double?”
“Why not? Live a little.” He passed me a stack of napkins.
“Double it is.”
“So what’s been going on with you?” he asked, as we left the ice cream shop and cut across to Third. “I feel like we always talk about me.”
“I’ve been good. Things have been going really well with work. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually love the wedding industry. I’ve made some strong contacts, and I finally feel like I’m coming into my own. There’s something so satisfying about orchestrating the most important day of people’s lives.” It’s such a relief when I can discuss things that are actually true with William. It makes the friendship feel more real.
“I can imagine.” He nodded. “What’s your favorite thing about it?”
“Good question.” I thought about it. “So, the other day when I was with one of the caterers, I sampled this unbelievable lobster dish, and I knew immediately that the groom was going to love it. And then last week, I saw one of our brides in her dress and I just knew it was perfect. I could tell from the expression on her face how happy she was. I guess it’s those moments when things work out as they’re supposed to or as we planned they would.” We turned onto Eighty-Fifth Street and fell silent when I stopped in front of my building. “This is me.”
“Thanks again for listening, Olivia. You’re the best.” We stood facing each other, close enough to allow the other pedestrians to pass around us.
“That’s me. The best.” I rolled my eyes and William leaned down to kiss me on the cheek. “Have a good night.” I waved at him before entering my building.
That’s when it hit me like a sucker punch. I’m falling for William. I’m doing exactly what Jordana warned me not to do. But I can’t stop myself.
At the same time, I can’t deny that my plan for revenge is going to injure him. All the lies I’ve already told. The depth of deception that’s still brewing. I can’t breathe.
But I also can’t turn back.
Maybe I am just a horrible person after all.
28 KERRIE
Once I’d closed the door to my apartment, I erased the thought of William from my mind and shucked off my work clothes. There’s nothing more gratifying than that moment when you unfasten your bra. I flung it onto the bed, then slipped into sweatpants and a hoodie while I waited for Sara to arrive, which didn’t take long.
“You look comfortable.” She shuffled in, wearing fluffy gray slippers and a pair of men’s style pajamas.
“You do too.” I poured two glasses of wine and handed one to her.
“How was your day? Did you find out anything?” We collapsed onto my couch and she got right to the point.
“I did. But I’m not sure it’s worth much.”
“What is it?” She sat up straight.
“Apparently, the Doonans have
a vacation home called Camp David.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“I wish I was.”
“Where is it?” She leaned in closer.
“I don’t know. William couldn’t tell me.”
“Couldn’t or wouldn’t?”
“What’s the difference?”
“Couldn’t means he’ll never tell you. Wouldn’t means there’s a possibility.”
“Somewhere in between, maybe.” It’s hard to judge how loyal William is to his future in-laws, despite his personal feelings. And I hate putting him in the middle.
“It could be a dead end, but it’s worth looking into. I’ll investigate.”
“Okay. What about you? Anything?”
“I spoke to an old source from the newspaper. She said she can give me some access without raising a red flag, so I can start looking into Arthur’s company. This way I can get myself up to speed on what’s been going on during my hiatus. It’s a first step, if nothing else. And who knows? Maybe I’ll find some kind of clue or at least a lead. Sometimes even the craftiest criminals make mistakes.”
“How long do you think that’ll take?”
“Not too long, I’m sure, why?”
“Well, it’s just that Tatiana and William’s wedding is just a couple weeks away.”
“That’s right.” Her eyes twinkled.
“And I was thinking maybe we could wait until after that.” I know William is having some second thoughts, but if he does decide to go through with marrying Tatiana, I can’t, in good conscience, ruin the most important day of his life.
“You’re fucking brilliant.” Sara slapped one of my throw pillows.
“Why is that?”
“If we can implicate Arthur within the next couple of weeks and get an article published on the morning of the wedding, that will take this to a whole new level. It will be explosive! There will be Doonan shrapnel all over Wall Street and beyond.”
“Wait, no, that’s not what I said.”
“It’s still genius, my friend.”
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “Why do we have to drag Tatiana and William into this?”
Pretty Revenge Page 17
