Chapter 14: Three Women and a Pen

Nadine's POV

Thane called me from the club parking lot, and I knew by the first word that he had gone.

"You said you wouldn't," I said.

"I know."

"Forty million dollars is gone, Thane."

"I know that too. I gave him the reason, and it's on me."

I stood on Bernie's back step with my arms wrapped around myself and let him finish.

Then he told me what Trevor had said about my reviews every January.

I had to put my hand on the rail.

"He said you wanted me gone," I said.

"I wanted you at every meeting," Thane said. "I wanted you to look up once."

I closed my eyes.

"I'm looking up now," I said, and I heard him let out a sound that was half a laugh.

The kitchen door banged behind me.

"Nadine Prewitt," said Bernie, "somebody's on my porch, and she's holding a duffel bag and looking at my geraniums."

It was Cassidy.

She stood at the foot of the steps in sweatpants again, with her hair in a knot and her eyes red.

Bernie came out wiping her hands on a dish towel, with her reading glasses swinging on their chain.

She looked Cassidy up and down.

"You're the girlfriend," Bernie said.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," Cassidy said. "I can leave."

"Have you eaten?"

"What?"

"I asked if you have eaten today, honey."

"No, ma'am."

"Good. I'm furious, and I cook when I'm furious. Inside."

Cassidy looked at me, and I shrugged.

She went in.

Ten minutes later Cassidy sat at the kitchen table with a plate of meatloaf in front of her and her hands folded in her lap.