Coming Home to Love (Lakeside Porch Series Book 2) (31 page)

Silence. She waited. She heard his two feet thunk back to the floor. The cushion sucked in air. “Justin?”

“Thinking. Writing.”

“Sounds like you’re back in the game. Listen to me. Are you listening?”

“Listening, Syd.”

“You decide that figure and dictate it
exactly
the way you want it to read. Dictate it to that idiot lawyer and make him read it back to you, word for word. When he’s got it all and got it right, go down there and read every detail of the letter before you sign it. Then hand-carry the letter to her house and deliver it, or slip it through the mail slot.”

More silence. “Justin?”

“Yes, I’m here. Playing with the wording.”

“Dear god, you’ve got a smile on your face, don’t you? What’s happening?”

“I’ve got to call the idiot lawyer, Syd. I’ll keep you posted.”

“See that you do.” She chuckled. “I’ll be watching for a wedding invitation or a baby announcement, whichever comes first.”

On Friday afternoon, Sara heard Gianessa’s gasp and turned to see envelopes fluttering from her hand to the floor. Gianessa’s hands shook as she struggled to open one official-looking envelope.

“What is it? Who is it from?”

Gianessa had one hand against her mouth as she read through the text. Her face reflected fear followed by satisfaction followed by comic disbelief. She held out the letter to Sara. “Justin’s attorney.”

Sara grabbed the letter and scanned the lines. Gianessa had been so stressed about going to a lawyer. “This is really good,” she said when she saw the dollar amount Justin was proposing for child support. “And educational expenses, medical, dental . . . What’s ‘enrichment’?”

Gianessa waved her hands. “Like ballet, piano, summer camp, non-school sports. Keep reading.”

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Sara screamed. “He’s offering you, personally, a million a year?” Sara collapsed cross-legged on the floor.

Gianessa sank down on the ottoman. “What do you think I should do?”

“Geez, roomie, take it.”

Gianessa took a few slow breaths.

“You’re all hunched over. Are you okay?”

Gianessa made an effort to sit up straight, and her hands went automatically to her belly.

Sara grabbed her arm. “Is the baby okay?”

Gianessa nodded. Her face was full of doubt.

“Justin has rocked your world again, right?”

Gianessa nodded. “I don’t know what it means. It sounds like he’s buying me off.”

“What?”

“That wording around the million dollars. It’s like he wants to be done with me.”

Sara went back to the letter and read aloud, “‘Also to be paid to Ms. Dupioni, the sum of one million dollars per annum, for her personal disposal, without limitation, in perpetuity.’ That means forever, right? And you can do what you want with it?”

Gianessa’s nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.

“I don’t see that as buying you off. Why do you think that?”

“I think he’s going to move on to someone else now. And I’ll be ‘that woman he got in trouble when he came back to town.’” She jumped to her feet and planted her hands on her hips. “I don’t want to be ‘that woman.’”

“You could move.”

Gianessa cried in earnest.

Sara enfolded her roommate in a warm hug. “I’m sorry, I don’t want you to move. I’m just trying to help. It will be okay, Gianessa.” She said it over and over until the crying turned into hiccoughs. “I’ll fix us some tea and we’ll talk about this. Okay?”

Six tissues later, Gianessa joined Sara in the kitchen. She set two mugs on the counter. Sara poured their tea.

Gianessa held the fragrant tisane close to her puffy red nose. “Jasmine. Thank you. What do you think of the child support?”

“Sounds like his lawyer is on the ball about current costs,” Sara offered.

“I’m sure Justin has no clue.”

“It seems really generous.”

“I’m trying to figure out where he came up with the million-a-year idea. What do you think?”

“Would the lawyer really be the one to suggest that?”

“It doesn’t make sense.” Gianessa set down her mug. “Oh.” Her eyes grew round.

“What?”

“I’ll bet he talked to That Sydney Woman.”

“Who?”

“Sydney. The woman in New York he had the rendezvous with after we found the wedding dress. You remember, he dropped Manda and me at Radio City Music Hall and went on to see some college administrator he knows, who turned out to be a woman and an old friend and probably an old lover. Then he met Manda and me for dinner.”

“I don’t think you ever told me this story. But if he met you for dinner a couple hours later, I doubt if they’re still lovers.”

“You must be right.”

Sara noted a little smile at the corner of Gianessa’s mouth.

“So, you think Justin and Sydney also talk about your relationship. Besides professional stuff?”

“I’ll bet. In fact, I’m sure of it.”

“Spill, roomie, this sounds juicy.”

“I’m thinking about how he was before dinner that night and how he was at dinner and how he got me to stop being pissed at him. I think she probably coached him.” Gianessa chuckled. “And it worked.”

“Fill me in here. I think I missed a whole chapter.”

Gianessa recounted the sequence of events in New York City the day Manda found her gown and told Sara about Justin’s need for a college advisor because of his work at Tompkins College on Joel’s behalf.

“And I probably shouldn’t have said so much, but I know I can trust you.”

Sara had tears in her eyes. “You do? You trust me?”

“Of course I do, Sara.” Gianessa grabbed her in a fierce hug. “You’ve been so careful about all the stuff I’ve shared with you. It means so much that I can trust you, and it must be really hard for you. Thank you for being a true friend to me.”

Sara choked out, “That’s the coolest thing anyone’s ever said about me.”

“I couldn’t have gone through this without your support, roomie.”

“Okay, so you’re going to take the money, right?” Sara wiped away her tears. “You know he’s not trying to buy you off?”

“I’m not sure. I feel better knowing, sort of knowing, the idea came from Sydney and not from some lawyer. But I’m still not sure how I feel about it.”

“Well, come at it another way. If it’s not a million dollars you want, what
do
you want from Justin?”

Gianessa drew back her hair and sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Well I know one thing.”

Gianessa eyed her with caution.

“You’re a few weeks overdue for the Devastating Damsel in Distress haircut,” Sara told her, with a firm nod.

Gianessa gave her a long, slow smile. “You are a genius.”

Sara squealed. “Let’s sneak into the spa and do it. Right now.”

Sara really needed coffee, but it was way too quiet in the kitchen. Gianessa usually hummed as she made breakfast. Today there was just the occasional rustling that sounded like pages turning. Sara poked her head in the kitchen. Her roommate flipped slowly through a baby magazine.

Gianessa sensed her presence and looked up with a bright smile. “Is my genius hairstylist roommate ready for coffee?”

“No regrets?”

“I feel beautiful.” Gianessa fluffed one side of her new do.

Sara examined the waves curving along Gianessa’s elegant cheekbones. “Turn, please.”

Gianessa tossed her head to the right and to the left.

“I am a genius, aren’t I?” Sara did a happy dance.

“Allow me make Your Genius the breakfast of your dreams.”

“Seriously? I would love an omelet. Wait, can you eat omelets?”

“Absolutely. Mushrooms? Tomato?”

“And bacon.”

“Coming up. Have a seat,” Gianessa said, “and relax.”

Gianessa took out bowls and utensils and ingredients, cracked eggs, sautéed vegetables, microwaved bacon. When she swirled the egg in the omelet pan, Sara sighed. “You’re going to teach me that someday, right?”

“Absolutely. We’ll do it. First lesson tomorrow morning. Do you want toast?”

“English muffin. I’ll get it.”

“Uh-uh.” Gianessa wagged her finger and clucked her tongue. “Genius needs time off, you know.”

Sara laughed. “You really like the haircut?”

“I love it. I feel pretty and desirable and in charge of my life.”

“That’s exactly how you should feel.”

“Hah. Five months pregnant, single, and soon-to-be unemployed. That’s exactly how I should feel. Pretty and desirable and in charge.”

“Why not?”

They tucked into the meal. Sara devoured her omelet and the bacon.

Gianessa chuckled at her roommate, nibbling at her English muffin.

“What?” Sara said. “I love it when the butter drips through my fingers. That’s why English muffins are my favorite. You have to go slow if you want every finger to drip butter.”

“The secrets of true genius.” Gianessa sipped her tea and took another bite of her omelet.

“Have you decided what to do about Justin’s offer?”

“I think so. But first, tell me what you think I should do.”

“I think you should take it all—the child support and the million for life. I mean, why not?”

“I guess.”

“What were you going to do?”

“I was going to turn down the million for life part.”

“Tell me why.”

“Because what I really want is Justin.”

Sara started to smile but stopped. “Even though he trashed you to your face when you told him about the baby?”

Pain washed over Gianessa’s beautiful face.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be hurtful, but I need to know you’re thinking about both sides of it. It’s important. I don’t want my friend married to a man who’s going to go off on her.”

“You’re right. It is important. I think he knows that now. He’s in AA now. Neither of us knew he was a dry drunk. And when we danced at the wedding, he said he’s working hard in therapy. And I know it’s Gwen he’s working with.”

“Gwen who knows Manda and Joel?”

Gianessa nodded.

“What does Joel think about this?”

“I want to ask him. And I would do it today, except he’s on his honeymoon.”

“Manda was back at work late yesterday for a couple of hours.”

“Awesome haircut. Very chic. Very sophisticated.”

Gianessa gave him a dimpled smile and then squinted “You’re sure I’m not interrupting your blissful retreat?”

Joel shook his head and gave her a brotherly hug. “I was glad you called. Manda worked a couple of hours this morning and then went off with Gwen on a bike ride. I’m ready to get back to the weights. Most important I want to know what’s happening with the baby.”

“I have a doctor’s appointment next week.” Her tone told him not to pursue it just yet.

Joel noticed again how pale she was. “Routine?”

She nodded with her Mona Lisa smile.

He would wait, but he would get it out of her before she left today.

“Tell me what you’ve been doing for exercise. Edited, please.”

He blushed. “Edited, yes.”

“Any workouts in the pool or with the weights?”

“The usual pool routine every day. No weights. Some short strolls on the level paths through the woods. With cane, of course.”

Gianessa beamed at him. “Terrific. So let’s do a little bit with weights to start and see how you feel tomorrow. I need you to promise you won’t do anything more with the weights at all, not later today or tonight or tomorrow, until I see you again. Deal?”

“Deal.”

“I also need to talk over something with you.”

“Anything,” he agreed. “I can’t advise you, but I can give you my take.”

They focused for twenty minutes on a simple routine in the weight room.

“Surprised you broke a sweat?”

“Yeah.” He reached for a towel. “Let’s get some water and talk over your agenda.”

Gianessa took two bottles of water from the kitchen. Joel grabbed his cane and led her to a weathered bench in shade-dappled sunlight at the edge of the woods.

“This is peaceful, thank you.”

“I could see you were tense all of a sudden. Is it the baby?”

“It’s Justin. He told me at the reception he’s in AA and in therapy. I want to know if you think he’s sincere about working on his issues.”

“I do. He’s working very hard. What’s the context for the question?”

“Now you’re stressed, and there’s no reason to be. Use your breathing routine for a minute.”

Joel took a few deep breaths, and she waited for him to signal he was ready.

“Joel, when I first knew I was pregnant, I asked a lawyer to write him, asking for child support and also support for myself for a few years while I got on my feet professionally. I don’t know if you were aware of that.”

“I was not, but I’m glad to hear it. I only knew that you established the baby’s paternity.” He waited, holding his tongue, hoping she would share Justin’s response.

“I heard from his lawyer yesterday. He’s offering a very generous allowance for child support and other services for our baby, like medical and educational. Very generous. And I mean to accept that.”