Lie, Lie Again(69)
“Yeah, I get it. But you know how second graders filter things. They hear what they want.” The final bell rang, and Amelia said, “Just be careful. You really don’t want to get the parents riled up. They wield a lot of power.”
“Right. Thanks.” As Riki waited for her turn to walk her students to the classroom, she stole a glance at her phone. The first text was from Sylvia.
I’ll call Jonathan today. This is maddening.
I know! I can’t even think about how much it would cost to move. There has to be something we can do.
Riki began typing.
I took all the flyers. I don’t know if it’ll help, but it felt good. I can’t stand Jonathan! Sylvia, your idea about inviting him up to your place is sounding better and better. I’m not sure I’d rush to help if he trips on your busted stair.
They would know she was kidding. She didn’t really want him hurt, but jeez! It was insulting that he had lied to their faces. As she was about to slide her phone into her pocket, it beeped again. She glanced at it, a half smile on her face as she imagined Sylvia’s response. As she read the screen, her eyes grew wide. It wasn’t Sylvia. The message was from Brandon.
Hey, I got a callback! I’m going in for the producers later today. I still haven’t told Em, so don’t say anything, but I had to tell you. This is awesome! You’re awesome! I’m freaking out right now, lol. :)
She felt like time stopped as she reread his words. It was right there—he’d called her awesome again. And he’d said, I had to tell you. She didn’t even try to slow the thrill. It hit her like a building wave, and she would ride it all day long.
Way to go, Brandon. I knew you could do it. You’re amazing!
As she sent the text, her anger for Jonathan surged. The last thing Brandon needed was more stress on the day of his big callback. He needed positivity and support. Well, one way or another, she would stop Jonathan from selling their place. At this point, she didn’t even care if he got hurt in the process. With the way he’d acted yesterday, he deserved whatever bad things happened to him.
Sylvia settled in at her desk and opened her phone to a search page. She tapped in Sal Mendel, California. God, she loved the internet. So much information at her fingertips. Several choices appeared, but it took only seconds to find the Sal Mendel with the pleasant brown eyes. He certainly wasn’t careful with his personal information. He’d purchased a house in Santa Monica seven years ago for $430,000. It was a two-bedroom, two-bath home on a three-thousand-square-foot lot. A homeowner and an advocate of good dental health. What a responsible man.
She clicked on his Facebook profile and found he had a public account. It appeared that Mr. Sal Mendel graduated from Arizona State University with a business degree. He was originally from Fullerton, California, and his most recent post was from two weeks ago, so he was clearly active, but not a pathetic habitual poster still seeking approval from people he knew in high school. She saved the photo from his post to her desktop so she could analyze it without the risk of liking it. He was at a golf course centered between two other men. Both were relatively attractive, with genuine smiles and bellies that stayed firmly behind their belts. A man whose gut reached down toward the crotch of his pants looked so sloppy. If anyone needed shapewear, it was the beer-bellied men. There were no females lingering in the background, but then, it looked like this was a boys’ outing. She went back into Facebook and read the two comments. Looking good, boys. Nice to see the old gang back together. That was from a man named Danny Saunders. The next was from an Yvette Mendel Rodriguez. Great photo!
So, she thought. He has a sister. She clicked on Yvette Mendel Rodriguez, but her profile was private. Smart woman. Closing out of the page, she tucked her phone into her drawer and resumed working. She had all the information she needed for their first date.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Embry scooped Carson from the portable changing table and hugged him close, breathing in his baby scent. There was nothing she loved more. “Kylie, grab a sweater so you can go to the park with Daddy before lunch,” she said as she walked to the kitchen. She knew she was rushing them out, but she was eager to do some research on how to get her honey pops into stores. With that sign outside, she was more determined than ever, and once she had everything all set, she would tell Brandon.
Kylie slunk by the master bedroom door. “Daddy’s not going.”
“Why? It’s not raining.”
She shrugged and sank to the floor as if her entire day had been ruined. Embry shifted Carson to her other hip and walked past Kylie into her bedroom. “Brandon,” she started but then stopped. His hair was slick, and his face was freshly shaved. The jeans he wore looked new, as did the button-down shirt.
“Hey, darlin’.”
“Where are you going?”
“I thought I told you. I picked up the midday shift at the restaurant.” He patted his jeans for his wallet and headed for their closet, riffling through coat pockets.
“You didn’t tell me.” She watched as he grabbed his keys and stuffed his wallet into his back pocket. It didn’t escape her that he was avoiding looking her in the eyes. “Are you not working tonight?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m still going in tonight, but I picked up an extra shift.” He looked past her to Kylie, who had her back against the doorjamb and her feet pressed to the opposite side. A half grin emerged, and he winked at Embry. “Hey, sugar bear. Can I have a big hug before I head out?”