“I will try.”
“Do you like ramen? There’s a ramen place not far from here.”
I wrinkled my nose, saying, “I like it, but I want a cheeseburger.”
“That sounds amazing. Oh, and a milkshake, because it’s never a bad time for a milkshake, no matter how cold it is. Let’s find a map and see where we can go.”
We found one of the mall directory maps and while she looked for a place to eat, I went to a nearby bathroom. After I was done, I took out my phone and typed out some notes to myself about things Sheridan had seen and liked while we were shopping. I planned to come back and buy them for her for Christmas.
As I neared the directory kiosk where Sheridan was waiting for me, I saw a short, dark-haired man talking to her. Instinct made me pick up my pace, and I walked faster.
“Jesus, you’ve gotten even fatter, Sheridan,” the man said. “You make the other plus-size models look thin.”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I asked him, standing beside Sheridan and putting an arm around her waist.
“Just catching up with the woman I made famous.”
Sheridan looked like she was about to be sick as she said, “This is Hugh, and I’m sure it’s no coincidence he’s here at the same time as us.”
Everything clicked into place then. This was the man who had abused her. He’d taken advantage of her personally and professionally, and was the reason she didn’t feel as good about herself as she should. And now he was following her. Hugh held out a hand and grinned at me.
“Nice to meet you, Lars.”
“I cannot say the same, Mr. Jasshole.”
He scrunched up his face in confusion, before finally getting it. “Ah. Hugh Jasshole. I see what you did there.”
“You have three seconds to get the fuck out of here before you end up bleeding on the ground,” I said, narrowing my eyes and pulling Sheridan closer.
“Lars, don’t,” Sheridan said, pulling on my arm and trying to direct us away from Hugh.
“No one will talk to you that way ever again,” I said to her. “I will not have it.”
Hugh laughed and said, “I guess I see the appeal, Sheridan. The big, dumb caveman you can just lead around by his dick.”
“I will knock you unconscious,” I said, clenching my fist and taking a step forward.
Sheridan turned to block me and placed her palms on my chest. “Lars, no. This is what he wants. He can’t get what he wants from me so he plans to get to me by ruining you.”
“I got everything I wanted from you a long time ago, fat ass,” Hugh said, spitting in Sheridan’s direction.
His spit landed on her coat and a fury I’d never felt before overtook me. Whether Sheridan liked it or not, I would never stand by while someone spoke to her that way. I smashed my fist into Hugh’s face, feeling satisfaction when my fist stung from the contact. He stumbled backward, yelling and covering his face with his hands.
“Call the police! I’m being assaulted!”
“Lars!” Sheridan whirled to face me with an accusing look. “What the hell have you done?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Sheridan
* * *
Like he’d been doing since the day I’d met him, Hugh was ruining my life. Not only was he an abusive prick, he’d fucked up my wonderful evening with Lars. Instead of ending a great night of ice-skating, shopping, and laughter with lovemaking, we’d argued. Then he’d gone home instead of sleeping over like he usually did. He’d been adamant no one would ever spit on me, much less say the things Hugh had said—and I loved him more than ever for it—but he had to understand how much was at stake. The cops had been called, chances were the whole thing had been recorded by onlookers, and I had to talk to my attorney as soon as I was coherent enough to have a conversation.
So I was in a bad mood when I got to the office Monday morning, brushing past Nellie as I locked myself in my office. It was early, not even eight thirty, so Vanessa wasn’t in yet and I had a little time to come up with a game plan.
I hit the intercom to talk to Nellie. “Nel? Can you put an executive staff meeting on the calendar for ten thirty?”
“Yes, ma’am. But I don’t know if everyone is in today.”
“Then tell them to come in.” I wasn’t usually a bitch at the office—that was more often Vanessa’s job—but I had neither the time nor the patience for any bullshit today.
A few minutes later, Nellie hesitantly came into my office, a pad in her hand. “Ms. Lee, do you need anything? You seem stressed.”
I managed a small smile. “I’m totally stressed.”
“I saw the video online,” she whispered.