CHAPTER 2
Bliss swung her silver Audi into the parking lot of the Ralph’s supermarket on Lincoln Boulevard, cut off the engine, then held up her hand in an appeal for silence.
“No lecture this time, okay?” Bliss turned to face her best and only friend sitting in the passenger seat.
Jessica Winthrop took in a long breath. “Only if you agree to act like a civilized human being today.”
For three months now, Bliss and her ex-boyfriend, Dr. Joseph Franco, had been meeting in this public location to transfer their six-year-old son Aiden from one parent to the other. Their relationship was so antagonistic that a judge had declared their respective homes off limits.
“Aren’t you tired of all the drama?” Jessica asked.
“I really wish you would criticize that asshole as much as you do me.”
“He’s not my friend. You are. Just let it go.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
Though she was nothing short of a plain Jane—long, reddish-brown hair, an unremarkable face and the physique of an undernourished pear—Jessica had snagged the kind of man Bliss had spent her whole life maneuvering to marry. Paul Winthrop was a successful venture capitalist. After marrying him, Jessica gave up her career as a bank manager.
“You two have a beautiful son together,” Jessica said, glancing toward the backseat at her sleeping godson. “You need to think about Aiden’s best interests.”
Bliss pointed at the clock on the dashboard. “The asshole is seven minutes late.”
“How about we use his name today? Just for practice.”
Bliss rolled her eyes.
Jessica was the only constant in Bliss’ sad life. Their friendship dated back to freshman year in high school. While every other girl at Winchester High had shunned the gorgeous blonde newcomer with the sexy name, Jessica had reached out to her, never concerned that her own light didn’t shine nearly as brightly as Bliss’.
Jessica pressed her hands together in a prayer pose. “Promise me this’ll be a drama-free exchange. Pretty please.”
Bliss spotted Joseph pulling into the lot and slapped her hand against the dashboard. “I can’t believe it! That asshole has a new car!”
Jessica cupped her forehead. “Bliss, please don’t—”
“That Benz had to cost almost a hundred grand. That’s probably why he was three days late with my child support last month. And why is she with him again? I’ll never understand what he sees in her. She has the face of a rodent.”
Jessica got out and unbuckled Aiden from his car seat. “Just behave yourself.”
Once Aiden was out of the car, Bliss squatted so they were at eye level. “You be a good boy, okay? You scream for Mommy if Daddy does anything bad to you.”
Jessica exhaled. “Please stop putting that nonsense in his head.”
“And you make sure you don’t let anybody touch you down there. You scream if they—”
“That’s enough.” Jessica grabbed Aiden’s hand and started marching him across the parking lot. When they were a yard away, he squirmed free and jumped into his father’s arms.
Dr. Joseph Franco was an orthopedic surgeon whose patients included an impressive list of professional athletes. He was a tall, gregarious man with bushy blonde hair. Today, anxiety contorted his face.
“Hey, Jessica. Thanks for being our go-between again. I’ll have him back on Sunday by five. I’ll call you if I’m running late.”
“No you won’t!” Bliss stood just a few feet away. “If you’re late, I’m calling the cops.”
“I’m not biting today,” Joseph said, mostly to himself. He finished securing Aiden into his car seat and closed the door.
“And why is that cunt here?” Bliss shouted.
“I’ve asked you before to watch your language around Aiden. And if you call Lena out of her name one more time, I’ll be the one calling the cops.”
Jessica gripped Bliss by the forearm and started tugging her toward the car. “Okay, everybody, let’s all go to our respective corners.”
“By the way,” Bliss yelled back at him, “since you can afford to buy a new car, Mr. Successful Orthopedic Surgeon, I’m going back to court to ask for more child support. You’re obviously doing a lot better than you claimed the last time we were in court.”
The threat stopped Joseph in place. He stormed up to her.
“If you need more money, get a job,” he seethed. “I’m already paying you ten grand a month and I’m struggling like hell to do that.”
“From the looks of your new ride, you don’t seem to be struggling at all.”
“Can you act like a decent human being for five seconds? Just five measly seconds.”
“Just tell your attorney I’ll be asking the court to amend our child support order.” Bliss flashed him a smug smile.
Joseph reflexively balled his fists. “I’ll kill you before I pay you another dime.”
“Did you hear that, Jessica? He just threatened my life!”
Joseph shook his head and slowly backed away. “Get her away from me.”
As Joseph climbed into his car and sped off, Jessica chastised Bliss with a frown.
“I should be the one in that car with him,” Bliss sniffed, her voice cracking. “I’m the fabulous one.”
Jessica threw an arm around her friend.
“Nothing good is going to come into your life until you change the way you treat people,” Jessica said, trying to be gentle. “Kindness attracts kindness.”
“I don’t want to hear that crap!” Bliss snapped, pulling away from her. “When people screw over me, I screw them back. And speaking of getting screwed, Mia and Fletcher are about to get theirs.”
Jessica threw up her hands. “Why are you constantly causing drama?”
Bliss laughed wickedly. “Because I’m good at it.”