Page 166 of Hale Damage
Serena marches in, and I swing the door shut, but not quite all the way. Because aside from being a petty bitch, I’m also a nosy bitch.
As I take my seat, I realize I needn’t have worried. I’m pretty sure her shriek could have penetrated even this wooden door with its dense solid core that renders it soundproof.
“How dare you not tell me you’re dating that woman!”
My eyebrows lift.That woman?
I can hear Remi speak in a modulated tone like he’s dealing with a small toddler—which isn’t too far off the mark, if I’m being honest—but I can’t quite make out his words.
I can certainly hear Serena though. “I have no idea how you can be this stupid. That woman already left you once.”
Antonio wanders in, probably to ask what our lunch plans are, and it’s obvious he heard that last part. “What the hell?” he mouths.
“My name is apparentlythat womannow,” I whisper, doing air quotes. “Do you have any popcorn?”
He snickers and pulls up a chair beside my desk so we can eavesdrop together.
“Well, I don’t appreciate having to learn about this on fucking TMZ. I’m supposed to be your bestie,” Serena yells, and Remi once again replies in a voice too soft to pick up out here.
Leaning closer to Antonio, I say, “If I hear the word bestie one more time, I’m going to get stabby.” He covers his mouth with his fist to keep from laughing aloud.
In a low voice, he informs me, “She’s a right piece of work. No one likes her other than Remi, and sometimes not even he can deal with her. Helix and Phoenix actively despise her.”
“Gee, I wonder why.” Then I ask the question that’s burning in my gut. “Is she in love with him?”
He sighs. “I’m not sure Serena’s capable of loving anyone but herself, but I think she wants him.”
“Great,” I mumble, and Antonio playfully punches my shoulder.
“Hush up, now. You’re worth a million Serena Greenfields. Your inner beauty only makes you more beautiful on the outside.”
I’m touched by his sweet words. “Thank you for saying that, Antonio.”
Our heads snap around when Remi raises his voice for the first time. “Well, that’s not going to happen, Serena. If you can’t accept Mindy, then you can just get the fuck out of my office right now.”
Antonio and I look at each other with O-lips.
The tone of the conversation drops again, and we both lean our bodies toward the door, but the words are inaudible. I take out my cell phone and text Gianna Bouvier.
Me: You know how you said to check with you about any women I come in contact with?
Gianna: Yep. Whatcha got for me?
Me: Serena Greenfield
Gianna replies with a snake emoji. Fantastic.
“I’d have to say that’s accurate,” Antonio says, and I look over to see him reading over my shoulder.
“Nosy,” I hiss, setting down my phone.
He’s unfazed by my insult, gracing me with a big grin. “Hey, it’s in my nature.”
And then the ringing of the office phone effectively ends our snooping endeavors, though I can’t stop thinking about that snake emoji Gianna sent.
I hope and pray Serena Greenfield isn’t going to be a problem.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
