Chapter 3

Jacob looked away and lifted his water glass for a sip.

When he spoke again, the tenderness was gone.

"Audrey, you're a smart woman. You know what reality means. With the position I'm in now, ending your career in this industry would take me one sentence."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"And this is only a breakup, not a war. We can still be friends. You're going to need my help down the road, so there's no point making this ugly. That does neither of us any good."

For a moment I couldn't think.

People in the industry had always said Jacob had an iron hand.

I never used to believe it. Now I did. The rumors weren't wrong.

"Think it over. When we get engaged, I'd like you to be a bridesmaid. Val values you as a friend more than anyone. A person only gets one wedding. I don't want her to have any regrets."

With that, he stood and left.

I turned my head a little. The day we graduated high school, Jacob had confessed to me in front of the whole school,

his eyes full of sincerity.

"Audrey Delgado! In this life of mine, there will be no divorce, only widowhood!"

I couldn't help laughing. How was this not him keeping that promise?

Just then a familiar figure appeared at the restaurant door.

Valerie stood there uneasily, scanning our way.

When she saw Jacob her eyes lit up, and she hurried over.

She reached the table and glanced at me, timid.

Then she stepped behind Jacob and rested a hand lightly on his shoulder.

"Jake, I... I was worried about you."

Jacob reached back and took her hand, giving her a reassuring look.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay home and rest?"

"I was afraid Audrey would make things hard for you."

Valerie bit her lower lip, and her eyes reddened in an instant.

She looked at me, her voice full of pleading.

"Audrey, don't blame Jake. If you're upset, you can hit me, yell at me."

She took a step toward me as she said it and grabbed my hand.

I shook it off on instinct.

Valerie gave a small cry and fell backward, her elbow knocking a glass off the table.

Shards flew everywhere, one cutting my arm, and beads of blood slid down at once.

Jacob caught her, steadying her.

His gaze paused for a beat when it landed on me.

Then he turned all his anxious concern on Valerie.

"Are you all right?"

Valerie shook her head, her face white.

"Don't blame Audrey."

Jacob's face darkened.

"Audrey Delgado, she's your best friend. You'd really raise a hand to her?"

I shot back,

"So now you remember she's my best friend?"

Valerie quickly pulled at his arm, urging him, anxious.

"Jake, don't be angry."

"Audrey just can't take it right now. Don't fight with her. Let's go. Give her some time alone to calm down."

Jacob drew a deep breath.

As if forcing down his anger, he wrapped an arm around Valerie's shoulders.

The two of them turned to go. A few steps out, Jacob looked back.

"Audrey Delgado, in a month Val and I will hold our engagement dinner. Take your time thinking over what I said."

Then he looked at me no more. Holding Valerie close, he walked out of the restaurant without a backward glance.

I watched the two of them go, picked up my phone, and dialed a number.

"I need you to do something for me..."