1

Irene

Madison Island thirty miles.

I sighed with relief when I saw the road sign. My two-day road trip from New York to home was nearing an end. When I’d packed my bags after the last fight with Derrick, I’m sure he’d expected me to only stay at a hotel for a few days. To take some time to calm down. He hadn’t bothered to call until after he’d gotten served with the divorce papers. I tightened my grip on the wood grain steering wheel and mentally forced any tears to stay put.

Come home and stop with the dramatics. His condescending voice taunted me. Whenever I’d called him on his bullshit, I was always being dramatic. Blowing things out of portion. It was always me. But not this time. Not when he’d paraded—

I shook my head and sat up straighter in the plush leather seat of my Audi. I was done giving my energy to a man who didn’t respect me. I’d mourned the time I’d wasted, but no more. After realizing he had zero intentions of apologizing—not that he ever did without there being a but included—I’d gotten the bug to get farther away. I longed for simpler. A place where I could almost remove the mask and relax just a little bit more.

Almost.

As I settled back, I laughed quietly to myself over the fact I’d taken the car he loved the most. Was it petty? Sure. But it was purchased during the marriage, which meant it was half mine. And it wasn’t like either of us drove much in the city, but status, it had all been about status. Like having a professional and sophisticated wife. Along with other women to warm his bed. The car was part of my severance package.

I leaned against the headrest and daydreamed about what being myself would even look like. Hell, did I even know? I’d been the reflected version of whom everyone expected me to be for so long…

A large branch laying across the road came into view. I yanked the steering wheel to the side, but not quickly enough to avoid it completely. My low-sitting car ran over it, tossing me upward like I’d gone over a speed bump too fast, and a cloud of dust bellowed up from the side as the sound of my tires on the dirt shoulder squealed in my ears.

The back end fishtailed before I managed to come to a screeching halt. I placed my hand over my rapidly beating heart and glanced in my rearview at the limb, now shattered into pieces. The stretch of road leading to Madison Island was basically no-man’s land, but fuck, they still should have people out to clear hazards from the roadways.

After a few calming breaths, I eased back onto the road. Derrick’s voice taunted me. He’d have something to say about not paying attention, and somehow the branch being in the road would have been my fault. I blew out a long exhale and did a full body shake to get rid of the remaining nerves and negative thoughts about my soon-to-be ex-husband. Sitting up and rolling my shoulders back, I attempted to give eagle eye attention to the road ahead just in case any more of the beautiful mossy oaks decided to lose additional pieces.

I pushed down on the pedal, forcing the car faster, only instead of accelerating as it should have, the fine piece of German engineering—as the salesperson had called it—sputtered most unceremoniously, and the dials on the dash went haywire.

What the hell? I pressed the gas again. The engine tried to rev in response, but it came out more of a sputter as it jerked forward. Great. Just fucking great. I managed to maneuver to the narrow shoulder.

Now what? I turned the car off then cranked it up again. It started, but when I pressed the gas, even knowing nothing about cars, I knew the sound it made wasn’t a good one.

Damn it! I muttered as I hit the service link button and waited for it to connect. Why couldn’t I even take time away in peace without shit falling apart around me?

Good afternoon, Mrs. Moore, how can I be of service today? The female voice spoke over the speaker.

Yes, the car won’t go. It makes some weird noise, and I think I might need a tow.

Were you in an accident?

No, it just stopped.

Are you in a safe area?

I’m in the middle of nowhere for the most part, but yeah, I’m fairly safe.

Okay. One moment.

There was silence for a while, but I could hear the faint sounds of clicking as the agent worked.

Thank you for your patience, Mrs. Moore. I have contacted the closest wrecker service. They say the estimated time to get you will be 20-30 minutes. Is that acceptable?

I rolled my eyes, not that she could see. What option did I have? Not like if I said no, they could somehow make the driver warp speed or something. I relayed my acceptance and declined her offer to stay on the line with me until they arrived. I needed the moments of peace.

I hadn’t told anyone I was coming for a visit. It had been a minor inconvenience with the office for me to take a sudden vacation, but I’d covered for Dr. Joyce plenty over the years, especially with his stints in rehab. He owed me. Besides, it was only two weeks. Maybe. Regardless, I knew there would be questions. From my parents, and especially from my girls. The time alone would give me a chance to make sure my answers to the inevitable questions were in place and delivered with practiced ease. Regina and Cynthia were a lot easier to dodge virtually. Too much time around them and I knew they’d start to see through, though maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.

I was tired of pretending my life was perfect.

My phone dinged, indicating I had a new text message. I pressed the button on my steering wheel, then commanded it to be read: You need to be home by 5 today. We have dinner plans.

The robotic voice fit the tone of my husband perfectly. We hadn’t talked since he called to tell me he’d gotten my ridiculous papers, but he expected me to just show back up and pretend as if everything were okay. I sighed and rested my head back against the headrest. Of course, he did, because pretending all was well was what I excelled at. He’d be pissed when he found out I wasn’t going to be there to play the role of the dutiful wife. That particular role was over for me.

The car continued to make an awful noise as it ran, but I needed to keep the AC going. April in coastal Georgia meant high humidity, and I’d be sweating all too soon; I didn’t need my edges curling up. Besides, the only time one was permitted to perspire was when working out, but even then, one glistened, they didn’t sweat. At least, according to my mother.

The sound of a big engine got my attention. I sat up and squinted at the sight of an approaching vehicle. As it got closer, I could tell it was the tow I’d been waiting for, though I expected to see it coming in my rearview, not in front of me. There was absolutely nothing along this stretch of road from the direction the truck came other than Madison Island. I turned off my car then stepped out as the driver stopped and did a U-turn in the middle of the two-lane road so they could back up in front of my broken-down car. The logo on the door pulled a deep groan from my throat. Martin Autobody.

All the talk from Cynthia and Regina about how the woman I’d deemed my high school nemesis now ran her father’s mechanic shop and worked wonders on their cars ping-ponged through my head. Not to mention Remi had been instrumental in getting Regina’s food truck. Somehow the woman who’d never been a part of my friend circle seemed to have wormed her way in, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.

Remi Martin, the woman who, with a few choice words or dismissive glances, had the uncanny ability to make me question all I believed to be important. The clothes and other material things I’d put so much importance on, she’d disregarded, and her lack of caring had always irked me. But it’d been that same aloofness that had drawn me to her.

I had the momentary thought it might not be her in the truck but was quickly proven wrong when the driver hopped down. My first secret crush. It’d been over twenty years since Remi and I had said much to each other. Sure, I’d seen her in passing around town when I was home for visits, but we’d never done the whole catch-up thing. There hadn’t been any need. Or rather, I’d kept my distance to avoid her unknowing rebuffs and quiet judgments. But here she was, in a set of dirty blue overalls with the top half tied around her waist and a white tank top with the unfortunate nickname clinging to a figure she’d always hidden. Oversized, baggy clothes had always been her go-to. Except during gym. The memory of the secret peeks I’d try to take as we’d changed for class popped unwanted into my mind.

She’d also fully embraced the tomboy look where her hair was concerned. Wasn’t quite the total low cut with line-up, because she did have tight curls on top, though I’d have to say Derrick probably sported more hair than she did. And I was sure he probably spent way more time on his. Being well groomed was all part of his façade. 

When she laid eyes on me, she laughed and shook her head. Irene Johnson.

I didn’t bother to correct her by adding the Moore to my name. Damn, she looked good despite the less-than-flattering outfit. Flawless skin, amazing cheekbones, full lips, and dark, serious eyes that had always seemed to bore into me. It’d taken one deep look from her… No, I stopped the thought before it ran away to places I couldn’t handle currently. Remi had been the source of many of my teenage fantasies. But she could barely stand me, so my defenses were activated.

I rolled my shoulders back and lifted my chin. Nice to see you, too, Remi.

She drew together what were surprisingly well-shaped brows. Is it?

Isn’t that the typical greeting when you see someone you’ve not been around in a while?

Only if you mean it, otherwise, why lie?

Same attitude from high school. Blunt without a care of how her words came across. Was it really that hard to pretend? To put forth basic politeness? The multitude of fake smiles and air kiss greetings I’d perfected, given, and received over the years flipped through my head. No, Remi didn’t do pretending. And her brutal truth was a hard thing to combat when one’s life was full of make-believe.

As she turned her attention to my car, appraising it with open appreciation, clearly for her, the answer was yes. She whistled through her teeth. The Audi TT RS with a two-point five-liter turbocharged engine giving it three hundred ninety-four horsepower. Zero to sixty in three point six seconds. She moved around the side to the back. Oh, the sport exhaust. I bet it sounds like a beast on the road. It’s…a…beauty. What’s wrong with it?

I didn’t have a clue what most of what she said was. I did, however, pick up on the fact she was impressed, and that made me stand a little bit taller. One of the many reflexes I’d picked up from my mother. How am I supposed to know? It was going, then it wasn’t.

She rounded the car, easing past me as she continued to check it out. Did you run out of gas?

I planted both hands on my hips and frowned at her. Did you just ask me if I ran out of gas? Is that the mechanic equivalent of did you power it on?

She lifted one shoulder but didn’t answer. Instead, she tilted her head and simply stared at me, waiting.

No, I didn’t run out of gas. Aren’t you just here to tow it to a certified place, not play diagnostic on the side of the road?

Crank it up, she ordered, completely ignoring what I’d said.

It’d irked me to no end when she’d do that in high school. She’d either pretend I hadn’t said something, or act unbothered by my words. Other people cared about what I’d had to say, and what my opinion of them was. Other people wanted to be like me, to have what I had. Everyone but Remi Martin. Which had made me want her attention in the worst way.

No. Look, I know Regina and Cynthia sing your praises, but really there is nothing you can do for me here other than put it on your truck and take it to a service location.

I was annoyed enough that the damn car had died on me. She wasn’t helping by keeping me out in the heat longer than needed by trying to do something I was fairly certain she wasn’t qualified for. I didn’t know much about cars, but I did remember how much Derrick talked about certified this and certified that. I drove, he handled everything else. Or rather, would call for the concierge service to come take care of it whenever work was needed.

Suit yourself. Remi headed back to her truck, pulled a lever, and after a squeak, and a thud, the back slowly began lowering to the ground. She went about dragging chains toward my car then dropped to her knees to peer under it. Did you run over something?

I pushed my sunglasses up to the top of my head. For goodness sakes, Remi, stop with all the damn questions.

She laughed again, which only served to annoy me more, then flipped onto her back, not caring one bit about laying in the dirt. The muscles in her arms flexed and tensed while she worked. I inched forward to squat down, placing my palm on the side of the car to help with my balance, in an attempt to get a closer look. Though my attention was more on her than what she was actually doing.

She sat up, brushing against me in the process, which nearly knocked me on my butt. With quick reflexes, she caught my arm to keep me from falling backwards. Her grip was firm and hot, and I wasn’t sure which stunned me more, her touching me, or my near fall. Our closeness brought back those fluttering inklings of excitement I’d tried to chalk up to teenage curiosity at the time.

Only they’d never gone away.

She pulled us both to standing. You good?

I couldn’t find the words and could only nod my answer. She didn’t release me right away. Instead, her dark, intense eyes continued to bore into me, the heat of her hold radiated up my arm, causing me to swallow the dryness in my mouth.

She tilted her head, and a frown furrowed her brow, but she finally let go and dusted off her hands. You’re leaking fluid, so you may have punctured something. Hence why I asked if you ran over something.

Her quick swerve right back to business jolted me out of my odd stupor, and I wiped at the spot on my forearm, which now sported an abstract dirty handprint. Without waiting for me to reply, she went back to her truck, and my car lurched forward before it was slowly pulled onto the flat bed.

I watched it, instead of giving too much attention to the woman with me. A tree branch.

What?

A little ways back, there was a tree branch in the road.

Why didn’t you drive around it?

Why is that any of your concern? I shot back.

She shook her head and headed for the driver’s side of her truck. Go around and hop in.

Hop in what?

Remi looked at the cab of her vehicle then climbed in. She couldn’t be serious.

2

Remi

I watched Ms. Snooty in my side view mirror. She stood gaping at me as if I’d grown two heads or something. Her dismissive attitude to my questions wasn’t an unusual reaction. Both professionally, and with our personal history. Most people expected men to know the what’s-what about cars, especially the men I’d been sent out to retrieve.

I’d had my fair share of comments about my boss being wrong to send a woman out to do a man’s job or some other such nonsense. Most of the time I didn’t bother to correct their assumptions on either front and simply did what I needed to do.

With Irene Johnson, I really held it back. She’d always had an idea that she not only knew better, but that she was better than me or others she deemed beneath her, and I had little to no patience to get into a pointless argument with her. My non-reaction was the best reaction where she was concerned. It’d served me well when we were in school, no reason to change what wasn’t broke. She wanted her car towed, I’d tow it and be done.

I don’t have all day, I yelled out my window.

Is it even clean? She gestured up and down her body. Because this outfit doesn’t accessorize well with motor oil and grease.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Yup, same old Irene. Appearance had been everything to her. I used to wonder if she even owned jeans, let alone a pair of sweatpants. Every day she’d be dressed like she was having lunch at a country club or something. I never quite understood how she, Regina, and Cynthia were friends because those two were way more down to earth, but somehow, they made it work.

I hopped out of the truck and took stock of what were sure to be designer clothes she was worried about getting dirty. The pastel pink pants clung to the curve of her hips and stopped mid-calf. The white lace blouse, complete with floppy bow at the neck, looked more like a doily I’d see on my grandmother’s table than on a person, yet Irene wore it. And wore it with pride and…wore it well. Beneath the lace, the cami hugged her flat stomach and slender waist. Both of the light colors worked with her dark complexion.

She stood with her arms crossed and her hip cocked out as if she was serious about not getting in. Why didn’t I let Tony just take the call when he’d offered? Sure, he’d gotten stuck once, but damn I was regretting giving him shit over it now. Just my fucking luck I’d end up with the bitchy woman who for some reason couldn’t seem to leave me in peace when we were in school. She’d always had something to say from how I’d dressed, to who I’d hung out with. It didn’t fucking matter. No matter what I did, she always seemed to be there. If I’d sneezed too loud, wannabe Queen Bee was there with some snide comment or another. And now her bad driving was inconveniencing my day.

Look, you have three options. I held up a finger. One. Get in the damn truck. I put up a second finger. Two. Call someone to come get you. And I counted off with a third. Or three. Walk. So, what’s it gonna be? Because I have work to do.

There weren’t many people who tested my patience the way Irene Johnson did. She forever had an uppity attitude thinking she was somehow better than others because she’d have designer clothes and went to fancy places on vacations. Or, hell, the fact she went on vacations.

Irene started to speak, but stopped, and instead strolled past me, trailing a soft scent of what was probably an expensive perfume behind her. The same sweet aroma that had me holding onto her for longer than I should have. I flexed my fingers, trying to work out the tingling memory of how soft her skin was beneath my palm. She stretched up on her tiptoes and peered inside the cab of the truck. I definitely had a thing for legs, so I couldn’t help but notice the way her calf muscles flexed with the action. I couldn’t deny she was a beautiful woman—back then, and now—but she was wholly too irritating. And too straight.

Do you have a towel or anything? These pants are light, and I don’t want to end up with some smear across my ass.

I had to stop myself from glancing down, and that fact irked me. Your ass will be fine. So, are you getting in or what?

She frowned at me, squaring her shoulders. You don’t have to be so hostile. We can’t all walk around in stained dungarees and combat boots. Some of us care about how we look.

I released a long, audible exhale. Before I could say anything, she held up her hands. I’m getting in.

She gripped the steering wheel and door to hoist herself up. The