Chapter 227
Ryan went off to the gates to play spy for me. I just sat in the car, a nervous energy buzzing under my skin. I was praying this wouldn’t all be for nothing.
I checked the flight info. Sally and Yvonne’s plane was due around five. Right on schedule, my phone buzzed with a stream of videos from Ryan.
In the first video, Jared had a bouquet and a bag of what looked like toys. Even in casual clothes and sunglasses, with an assistant and driver hovering behind him, he was impossible to miss.
The third video showed Sally and Yvonne. And right behind them, also in sunglasses, was Tracy.
Jared gave the flowers to Sally. But after she sniffed them, she turned around with a smile and handed them straight to Tracy. Tracy just took them.
Yvonne, bubbly and excited, was holding Tracy’s hand. She was clearly thrilled with her trip. Once Jared rounded everyone up, they started talking and walked toward the parking garage. The video ended there.
Ryan sent me another one. Jared and Tracy were talking in some corner by themselves. Neither Sally nor Yvonne was in sight.
Tracy looked upset. She threw herself at Jared, trying to hug him, but he dodged, taking a quick step back. He kept talking, keeping his distance. A second later, Tracy stormed off, furiously wiping at her eyes. Then that video ended, too.
I thought that was the end of it, but one more clip arrived. Jared walked back to Sally and Yvonne, and the three of them headed to their car. So, he wasn’t leaving with Tracy.
Ryan slid back into the passenger seat, a slight smile on his face. “So, Ms. Murphy? How’d I do with those videos?”
“They’re crystal clear. Thanks,” I said, but my heart sank. There was no shot of Jared and Tracy kissing or in a real embrace. Without that, it wasn’t the smoking gun I needed.
“Ms. Murphy, your husband’s got terrible taste. That homewrecker isn’t even close to being as hot as you.” Ryan was trying to cheer me up.
I laughed at how naive he was. “Trust me, kid,” I said, my voice tired. “Men get bored. It doesn’t matter how pretty the face is.”
“Fine,” he said, looking like he was trying to figure that out.
Ryan may not have gotten the money shot, but it was still damning. Jared met Tracy at the airport, flowers in hand.
On the drive back, my phone buzzed. It was a call from Jared. I ignored it. A text followed, [Where are you? Come to dinner. Yvonne misses you.]
Dodging him wasn’t a strategy. It was time to attack. I texted back, [Fine, I’ll be there.]
Before Ryan got out of the car, he hesitated. “Hey, Ms. Murphy? About the money… You don’t have to lend it to me. I think I can ask my great-uncle. I’m pretty sure he can help.”
I’d almost forgotten. Ryan’s great-uncle lived in my neighborhood, and honestly, everyone there was famously loaded.
“Okay,” I said, nodding. “But if he’s short, you let me know. I’ll cover the rest.”
Ryan hopped out, and I headed to the restaurant Jared had texted me.
As soon as I walked in, Yvonne ran over and threw her arms around my legs. She didn’t seem to hold any grudges. “Mom,” she chirped, beaming up at me. “I haven’t seen you in forever. Did you miss me?”
I just looked down at her. She was greedy. She wanted Tracy’s affection and mine.
“Let’s eat,” was all I said, my voice flat. Yvonne’s face crumpled, but she didn’t throw a tantrum like usual.
At the table, Sally glared at me. I met her gaze with a cool, polite smile. “Hi, Sally.”
“That’s Mrs. Holcomb to you,” she snapped, her voice low and sharp. “You’re divorcing my son. We’re not that close.”
“My apologies, Mrs. Holcomb,” I said smoothly.
A flash of fury crossed Sally’s face. Jared looked shocked. He probably didn’t expect me to roll with it so easily.
“Jared, do you see this attitude?” Sally snapped. “She has already checked out of this marriage. Just get it over with.” She had flipped from marriage counselor to divorce cheerleader.