Reed
When I located Mimi, she was still with Pastor Richie.
“Hello, mother. Jack said you needed me for something?”
She looked confused. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Huh, well, okay. Sorry for the interruption,” I said, turning to leave.
“Wait, Reed,” she said, patting the cushion next to her on the sofa. “Come and introduce yourself to Pastor Richie.”
“We met outside,” said Pastor Richie, smiling.
I nodded. “Yes, we did. So, I hear you’re going to be renewing your vows tonight, mother.”
“Yes. At exactly ten o’clock tonight, under the moonlight,” she sighed dreamily. “The same exact time we were married in Vegas.”
“Does Jack know he’s getting married again?” I asked. As far as I was concerned, he was unaware that he was married now.
“I mentioned it to him, yes,” she said.
“Well, I’m very happy for the both of you,” I said. “I’m sorry I can’t stay, I’ve got some things to do. Please excuse me.”
“Of course,” said Mimi.
“It was nice meeting you, Pastor,” I said. “I’m sure we’ll have a chance to talk later.”
“Indeed,” said the Pastor.
I left them and went back outside to find Sinclair, who, unfortunately, was no longer sitting by the pool. As I turned to go back into the house and find her, Jack stepped back outside, his glass refilled.
“Do you know where Sinclair is?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Not sure. Maybe she’s already preparing for tonight’s party?”
I stared at him, wondering if he’d somehow scared her off. “So, getting your vows renewed this evening, huh, Jack?”
He smiled. “Yes, I guess we are.”
“Hopefully you’ll honor them a little better, this time around.”
His face darkened. “What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”
I smiled, coldly. “I think you know very well what it means.”
“You don’t know shit,” he said. “You just wait until you’re married and then we’ll talk.”
“I may not be married yet, but I know that when you are, you keep your dick in your pants around other women.”
He stared at me for a minute and then sighed. “Do you honestly think that I’m the only one who has strayed?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Mimi,” he answered. “She’s had her share of flings over the years.”
“Right.”
“Listen, you can believe what you want, but let me tell you something, your mother isn’t a saint, either.”
“As far as I’m concerned, anyone who has put up with your shit all of these years, is a saint.”
He took a sip of his drink but didn’t respond.
Sighing, I left him on the deck and went back into the house to search for Sinclair.
***
Sinclair
I was pacing in my room, wondering if I should stay or call a cab, when there was a soft tap on my door. I opened it.
Reed.
“Can I come in?”
“Sure,” I said, stepping aside.
“You okay?” he asked, turning to face me.
“I’m fine,” I said, wondering what I was going to say to him now that Jack had basically threatened my future. I wasn’t sure if he really had that much power, but I decided quickly that it wasn’t worth finding out.
He sat down at the edge of my bed and grinned up at me. “So, now that you have me alone, what can I do for you?”
“I, um…”
His icy blue eyes slid down my body, giving me goose bumps. “What did you want to tell me?” he asked, softly.
I sighed. “It was nothing. I was concerned about Jesse, but now he’s on his way back. Everything’s fine.”
“Oh, okay, that’s good news.”
“It is.”
He stood up and moved towards me. “Question for you…”
“What?” I asked, looking up into his eyes.
He raised his fingers to my lips and gently lifted away a strand of my hair. “Christ,” he whispered, staring at my mouth.
“What?” I asked, hardly able to breathe.
He was so close I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. His eyes darkened and for a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. Instead, he sighed and took a step backwards. “Did Jack make any moves on you?”
I cleared my throat. “No. Why do you ask?”
“Because he does shit like that. In fact, he’s hit on almost every woman I’ve brought home.”
“That’s despicable,” I said. As far as I was concerned, Jack was a parasite.
He nodded. “Yes. So, if he does anything to make you uncomfortable, make sure that you tell me.”
“Okay.”
“I’m serious, especially tonight. Once he’s had a few, you’ll want to avoid him.”
“I will,” I said.
“I suppose I should get back to Sela. I’m glad to hear that Jesse is doing better now. That’s a relief.”
“Yeah, it is. He should be back in a couple of hours.”
“Okay,” said Reed, walking towards the door. “If you need anything before Jesse gets home, come and find me.”
“Thanks, Reed.”
He stared at me for a few seconds longer, then turned and walked out of the bedroom.