She Called the Bride the Help, So I Read the Bill Aloud novel · Chapter 14 of 24

Chapter 14: Nine Vendors

Reuben's POV

Joelle read me the total on Friday night, standing in my doorway with her car keys still in her hand.

She did not cry.

She said the number, and then the names of the nine, in order.

"I'm going to sue her," she said. "My lawyer says the case is good and slow. The vendors send notices on day thirty."

"That's the middle of May," I said.

"Yes," she said.

"Tell me what you need."

"Nothing," Joelle said. "This is mine, Reuben. Don't fix it."

I said I wouldn't.

I meant it when I said it.

By Saturday morning I had worked out the difference between fixing a thing and keeping a door open.

I drove to the florist first.

He was the man who had caught her on the dock, and he was embarrassed to see me.

"I run a clean shop," he said. "Twenty-two years. I don't send notices on a girl who got played."

"Then don't send one yet."

"I have a payroll."

"I know. Hold it until the first of June," I said. "Come to the Claiborne garden on the thirtieth at seven. Stand where I tell you. When she says your name, stand up."

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