* * *
Janna watched in horror as the perfect specimen of femininity rounded the corner and approached, stopping to give Brice a light hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh," she said, her surprise evident when she noticed Janna sitting behind him. "Your guest is still here?"
"I was just leaving," Janna mumbled, and Brice gave her an annoyed stare.
"You stay put," he ordered, taking her aback.
Fine, Your Royal Highness, she thought. I'll just sit here and watch it all go down, my heart falling to pieces inside my chest while you throw me over.
"I'm sorry, is this a bad time?" Evetta's voice seemed to lose its confidence. "Brice, could I speak to you alone?"
"No."
Janna's jaw dropped. The evil bastard was going to do it now, in front of her. Well, he's nothing if not efficient, she thought. Break it off with one girl and get back together with another, all at the same time. Why not?
"Brice," Evetta began, her voice soft and cajoling. "I hope you've had some time to think about what I said yesterday--"
"I have," he said, cutting her off. "I've also had time to find some much needed answers."
Evetta smiled, interpreting his statement favorably. "Good. I'm glad."
"I wouldn't be," he said, and Janna watched in awe as Evetta's sweet smile transformed into an unattractive scowl. Brice continued, "I know what your angle is, why you've returned after all these years to milk me again."
"I don't know what you mean." She placed a trembling hand on his arm.
Janna's fists clenched into tight balls at the touch.
"Oh yes, you do. I know that Jason Phillips has recently been indicted for embezzlement, Mrs. Phillips and that all of his assets have been frozen."
Evetta gasped but quickly recovered. "I...I told you about Jason. I told you it's over."
"But you failed to mention that you'd married him."
Janna couldn't believe the drama that was unfolding before her eyes. She bit her lip, thinking that this display rivaled any of the daytime soap operas. Hell, it might even be verging on telenovela territory.
"I didn't want to," Evetta said, tears filling her eyes. "He...he threatened me, and I...I didn't think you'd ever forgive me...so I...I... But it's over; I told you that."
"I don't think it is over, Mrs. Phillips--"
"Don't call me that!" Evetta almost growled.
"--but even if it is," Brice continued unfazed, "that doesn't mean it matters. What makes you think I would ever trust you again?"
Evetta grabbed his other arm and pulled him close. "Brice, I told you, I never wanted to hurt you, never wanted to say or do those terrible things. I even gave you back the ring, so you could see how serious I was. How much you meant to me."
"Oh yes, the ring." Brice pulled a small box out of his pocket and took from it a large diamond ring.
Janna almost swooned at the size of the rock on the platinum band. Jesus, she'd given that back?
"Very clever of you to return it. That's what you'd call the long con, right? Give up something of value now, in the hopes of getting an even greater reward in the future."
"The only reward I want is you," she sobbed, and the words tore into Janna's chest like claws.
"Is that right?" Brice's voice was low, heavy.
"Yes." Evetta laid her head on his chest and put her arms around him. "Remember how good it was? It can be that way again. Better."
It felt like the top of Janna's skull blew out the back of her head as she watched the most attractive woman in the world run her perfectly manicured fingers down the handsome millionaire's chest. It was so intimate, so seductive. So sickening.
Brice grabbed those hands and stepped backward, turning them so that her palms faced upward.
"Take it," he said, putting the ring in her outstretched hands.
Janna leaned back, sudden tears tumbling from her eyes. This was it. He was taking her back. She realized then that she would probably never love anyone the way she did Brice, and the thought felt a lot like dying.
"Oh Brice," Evetta whispered, marvel in her voice. "Why...why are you giving this back? Does that mean...you want me...you'll take me back?"
Brice laughed, and Janna's eyes snapped open. "It means you can probably sell it to make some money for Jason's legal fees. Or get a new start for yourself."
"But--"
"Get out, Evetta."
Janna couldn't believe what she was hearing. She also couldn't believe the change that came over the other woman. Her dark eyes narrowed to slits, and her fists tightened, one hand clutching the ring, and the other hand striking out to hit Brice in the chest.
"You bastard!" she hissed. "You're so goddamned superior. But don't worry, all that superiority will bite you on the ass every time you try to find love. No one will fit your high ideals, not and fuck you the way you need it. The way I could!"
"I've already found love, and it's a million times better than the sham of a relationship we had."
Janna's gasp was echoed by Evetta. "Oh, is that right? And I suppose she's the one you're talking about." Evetta's clawed hand pointed in Janna's direction. "I saw your adorable little article in the paper. You called her your girlfriend. But when I asked her yesterday, that's not what she said."
"Leave Janna out of this," Brice said, jumping into action. He grabbed the woman's arm and began walking around the porch, dragging her with him. "I told you to get out, and I meant it!"
Janna couldn't help herself, she picked up her crutches and followed, unable to tear her eyes away from the drama in front of her.
Brice pulled Evetta around to the front and walked her down the steps. The whole way the woman screeched at him, raining curses down upon him. "She'll never satisfy you. Or maybe you don't satisfy her. Either way, your relationship is doomed!"
"You're not the first person to say that," he said, reminding Janna that his cousin had threatened the same thing. "But I'm not afraid to prove you all wrong." With that he released her, and she stumbled toward a low, bright red sports car.
"You'll regret this!" she howled as she threw herself into the car and sped away.
"The only thing I regret is ever meeting you," Janna heard Brice mumble to himself. Then he turned and caught sight of her on the porch. He launched himself up the steps and ran to her, pulling her into his arms, making her drop her crutches.