Page 188 of Hale Damage
EPILOGUE 1
Mindy
“That sounds like the craziest pre-nup ever,” Caroline says as we put the finishing touches on some centerpieces for the wedding reception.
“I know,” I say, pouring each of us another glass of bubbly. “When Remi asked me to have my lawyer look it over, I fully expected it to focus on protecting his billions in case of divorce, but there was nothing in there about that. The only thing about his assets related to Hale Cosmetics, and if we broke up, I would still receive profits from the business for ten years following, but I’d have no ownership. And all his personal assets would be split fifty-fifty with me.”
My best friend takes a sip and reaches down to adjust the strap on her baby son’s car seat as he snoozes peacefully beside it. “That seems more than generous since it’s his family’s business. And your lawyer agreed you should sign it?”
“Doreen told me I was insane if I didn’t,” I say with a laugh. “Every other thing in the document related tomyassets. Anything I brought into the marriage would remain completely mine, as well as any future businesses I started.”
“Your bakery,” Caroline says with a thoughtful nod.
“Exactly. Remi said I was burned so badly by Twatface, and he wanted to be sure I felt financially safe at all times.”
“Swoon city,” my friend sings. “What’s going on with Whisk and Whimsy anyway? Is Clarissa ready to sell yet?”
I shake my head. “She keeps putting me off. I have enough to pay off a huge chunk of it, and I plan to get a loan for the rest, but now she’s saying she’s not sure if she’s ready to retire yet.”
“It’s got to be hard to sell something you’ve spent half of your life building. I’m sure it’s sentimental to her.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I say, and then I remember something I forgot to tell my best friend. “You’re never going to believe who we got a wedding invitation from last month.”
“Taylor Swift,” she says.
“No, but we will be going to her wedding. Apparently she and Hale Cosmetics support some of the same causes, so Remi and I got invited since he’s the CEO. They see each other often at charity events.”
Caroline gapes at me like I’m pulling her leg. “I’m going to assume you’re joking so I don’t have a heart attack right now. I’ll process my best friend going to the wedding of the century at a later time. Who did you get a wedding invitation from last month?”
“Serena,” I whisper as if she would appear out of thin air like when you say “Candyman” three times in a row.
“Get the fuck out,” Caroline says, slapping my arm.
“Nope, and her wedding date is tomorrow.”
“On the same day as yours?”
I nod and take another sip. “Yep. She’s marrying some billionaire Greek shipping tycoon. I showed Remi the invite, and he just laughed, tossed it in the trash, and said, ‘That poor sap.’”
“Wait, so she got her claws into some rich dude and planned her wedding for thesame daythe man she wanted to marry is getting married?” I nod at her assessment, and Caroline shakes her head. “I have to agree with Remi. Poor sap. That bitch is diabolical.”
We hear the door to the penthouse open, and the man who will be my husband tomorrow calls out.
“In the kitchen,” I call back, and Caroline stands.
“I’m going to get going. I have to pump and dump since I indulged in champagne,” she says with a laugh. “But it was just so delicious.”
“You don’t have to dump your breast milk,” I tell her. “It’s non-alcoholic champagne.”
Her eyes hold mine for a long second, and then she grins. “Ohhhh, gotcha.”
I hold a finger over my lips in a shh gesture, and she mimes zipping her lips as Remi enters. “Good afternoon, ladies.” He bends to lift the car seat and finds baby Miles blinking awake. “And gentleman. Did these girls talk your ears off, little man? Maybe you should come to the golf course with the Hale men next time.” His voice is so gentle and sweet when he talks to the baby, and my heart—and my libido—thump mightily. It doesn’t help that he has his hat on backward.
“I was just leaving,” Caroline says.
Remi bends to kiss her cheek. “Hi, Caroline. I’ll carry Miles down for you. I have an agreement with him. He’s going to report back on everything you two talked about today.”
My friend laughs. “Good luck with that. So far all your little spy has said is da-da and buh.”
