“Remi would just love that.” My sarcastic tone makes her frown, so I explain. “Remember Henry Pak?”
“Oh…” She makes a sympathetic face. “He has those ears.”
“Yeah, well, I saw him at the park again, and he said he just bought a condo in Eagleton Manor.”
“That’s cool. He seems like he’d make a great neighbor. If you had an emergency, he’d be right over.”
“Remi pretty much forbade me from speaking to him. He says he doesn’t want Lillie around him either.”
Drew’s jaw drops. “What happened?”
“I went out with him. Twice. Apparently, that’s enough to make poor Henry a leper.”
My bestie squeals. “That does it. I’m going to find you a place of your own. I can’t stand you two being apart one more day! And you’re going with him to New York. Don’t make me call and tell him myself.”
My stomach is tingly and hot, and I know I’m going to do it. “I have to buy a formal dress.”
“You can totally afford a formal dress. I’ll help you pick it out.” I think about my check that appeared on my dresser again while I was out with Lillie.
“It’s such a great job, but I still don’t know how I can take money from him and go out with him.”
“You take care of his daughter, right?” Drew adopts a very scientific tone. “You’re providing a service anyone else would get paid for. Why shouldn’t you?”
Chewing on my lip, I do my best to see it her way. “I guess you’re right. I don’t know why it makes me feel so icky.”
“If he doesn’t have a problem with it, neither should you. Of course, once you’re married, it’ll all be common property.”
“And now you’ve soared off into crazy town.” She’s still laughing as our friends return to the room, chatting with my mom. “Let’s just take this one step at a time.”
Pastor Hibbert’s sermon is about the appearance of evil. He reads the text from the Bible, and I feel four sets of eyes boring into the back of my head.
How did I let the jealous bitches get to me?
One glance to my left answers that question.
After dropping Lillie off at Sunday school, Ma was tied up helping her ladies’ group organize another Senior outreach. Drew texted me that she was tired and wouldn’t be at church this morning. That left me with only one option—sitting with Remi and Eleanor.
I suppose I could have sat by myself, but my goal had been to sneak in on the other side of Eleanor so the monster-in-law would be between Remi and me. But when Remi saw me slipping in the end of the pew, he maneuvered everything so I was at his side.
I won’t lie, I love having him beside me, holding the hymnal for us, making sure I have everything I need. I love feeling the warmth of his body now that we’re sitting beside each other. I’ve always been attracted to men like Remi, experienced, controlled, demanding—which I’m sure is more of my childhood coming out.
Still, after song service, when we’re instructed to greet the Body of Christ around us, the minute I turn, Serena North turns her back on me, as does Anita Flagstaff and her steely-haired old crone of a mother.
It’s one thing for those bitches to act like they don’t know me when we pass in the halls at preschool, but honestly, we’re in church. I feel like saying out loud, “You’re even acting this way in God’s house?”
But I don’t want to give Eleanor any more ammunition, and Ma would probably say I’m acting out. I’m not entirely sure Drew would back me up on calling people out after song service. She probably would, but I guess I have more self-control than that.
The only “Christian” in the group who enthusiastically shook my hand was Dr. Phillip North, that skeevy old creeper. I’m pretty sure I heard Remi growling under his breath.
Now we’re being regaled about how we should guard our appearance against accusations of impropriety. I’m ready to walk out. Instead, I think about what Drew said. I’m providing a service that anyone else would expect to be paid for. I signed a contract, for goodness sake. There’s no reason I should feel awkward about going out with Remi.
It helps Drew and I spent yesterday afternoon researching rentals in and around Oakville. We found a sweet little house in the newer part of Oakville Estates, actually within walking distance of Eagleton Heights. It’s just a small, one-bedroom home with one and a half bathrooms. Still, the rent is totally affordable, even without the crazy salary Remi is paying me, and it’s available now.
A little digging revealed Dagwood’s aunt Marsha owns the house, and she’s super sweet. She said she’d take a deposit to hold it, and I could move in as soon as I’m ready. The water, utilities, everything is on. It’s just waiting for me.
That just leaves me to figure out how to tell my boss.
Pastor Hibbert tells us all to bow our heads for prayer, and Remi reaches over to hold my hand. We don’t lace fingers, but still… it’s a public display of affection. A knot is in my throat, and I can’t help wondering if Eleanor sees. The last thing I want to do is pull my hand away, and when I steal a glance, it’s like a shot straight to my core when I meet Remi’s eyes.