When You Were Mine (Second Chances 2)

After Steve left, Evan said, “So…”

Jamie said, “Out with it, you nosy bastard. I know what’s coming.”

“How’d the walk downstairs go? You guys seemed pretty cozy,” Evan asked.

“We were for a minute, but then she kind of shut down on me. I didn’t think I’d feel the same as I always did but seeing her again hit me like a freight train. I figured we’d make awkward conversation and then move on. She’s a little more guarded than I remember. I get the impression that’s not entirely my fault though,” Jamie finished, subtly fishing for information.

“It’s not.”

“Could you be a bit more specific?”

“Not without breaking my word to Taryn,” he said.

“Shit.”

“Sorry. Wife,” he answered.

Jamie ran a hand through his hair and said, “I get it. I get it. I can’t ask you to do that.”

“However,” Evan continued as if Jamie hadn’t spoken. “If a man were to do an internet search for her name, I’m thinking he could get the general idea.”

“The internet?” Jamie asked, confused.

Evan nodded and said, “Very public, and very gruesome. On that note, I’m going to head home. Do me a favor and drop off that casserole dish when you’re done with it. Taryn will kick my ass if you don’t return it.”

“Will do.” Jamie hesitated a moment before adding, “Taryn’s a little scary when she’s pregnant. I feel like she could probably take you if she tried.”

“You’re probably right,” Evan said, grinning. “God, I love that woman, though.”

“I know you do. Thank her profusely for me, please and tell her I’ll bring her dish back later this week,” Jamie said as he walked with Evan toward the door.

As soon as Evan had gone, Jamie moved over to his laptop. Pulling up a web browser he did a quick search for Cora’s name. Several L.A. Chronicle articles topped the listing. Unable to stop himself, Jamie clicked on the first link and his eyes widened.

“Mayoral Candidate Bryce Wallace Caught in Cheating Scandal.”

He skimmed the article and slowly exhaled. Cora had been engaged to a complete asshole, apparently. He’d been caught fucking two women at the same time. Neither of which had been Cora. The papers had turned it into a huge story, complete with artfully blurred-out pictures.

They’d tried to interview her about it, but he hadn’t seen any direct quotes from her in the two articles he’d read. He suspected that she’d told them to go to hell.

They had painted her as a scorned, jilted lover. In the pictures that they had taken of her, and there had been more than a few, she’d always seemed more embarrassed than anything. It was clear to see it on her face, knowing her like he had, but the press had written whatever seemed the most interesting.

Jamie couldn’t even imagine what that had been like to have kind of public humiliation splattered all over the papers. Cora had always been a very open person, but it must have been brutal. No wonder she wasn’t equipped for anything other than friendship.

His eyes moved up the page as he took in the date. Shit. Six months ago.

He continued to skim some of the articles about her. Some were dated as recently as last month. They talked about her putting on a brave face and moving on. There were pictures of her trying to dodge them as she got into her car in front of what looked like a house, too. Jesus. Had they been camping on her lawn?

Jamie shook his head and closed the browser window in disgust. He stood up, deciding he couldn’t stomach any more and set the open laptop on the coffee table. He moved into his kitchen then began to throw away the bottles, cans, and pack away yet another semi-cold pizza. Between the casserole and all this pizza, he wouldn’t be running out of food any time soon.

Once he had cleaned up, he slumped in the armchair with his lap top in tow again. Donnie had mentioned earlier that Patty had sent him an e-mail with several properties to look at for the business. He was able to research them online and see some photos. He discarded a few right out of the gate. Some were too big, some were too small. One was in an area he wouldn’t want to park his car, let alone send clients to.

That left five offices to look at. One in particular looked promising. It was a smaller sized office complex with abundant parking. The walls could use some paint, but otherwise it was perfect. There was a small office, a larger area that could be used as a conference room, a bathroom, and a small kitchenette area.

Chapter Three

Cora sat on the warm metal bleachers alongside Taryn as they watched her oldest, CJ, at tee-ball practice. She idly checked her phone for texts again, then set it down next to her.

Taryn turned from her constant scan of the field and said, “You’ve been checking for texts every ten minutes since you sat down. What’s up?”