Sharing the Sheets (6 page)

Oh my God, what did I just do?
He wouldn't tell her or at least I hoped he wouldn't tell her. There was only one solution: beat him at his own shit. I was ready for anything and knew how to play this game very well. He forgot where I was from. Mark may have pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I wasn't about to let anything hang over my head. I grabbed my phone, swiped the screen to open a new text message.

I remembered that night like it was yesterday. Did he forget how he wanted it just as much as I did?

From the first day I met Mark, I wanted him. Tonight was the first time he'd ever mentioned a woman in his life and by the looks of it she didn't know what she was losing. Mark was on the rise as one of the top Realtors in New York. What woman wouldn't stick to him like glue?
Well, if she doesn't want him I will be happy to have her seconds,
I thought.

“I think it would be best if
—
”

There was never any talk about that night until I saw him at my client's housewarming party. After Mark came through on our deal, my days at my firm became numbered. I sued them for discrimination and as I thought, they settled out of court. I made them sign a nondisclosure contract and received a letter of recommendation. I left and within days landed an interview with Coplan & Daughters, the most respected law firm in the city, and was hired on the spot.

It had been almost two years until I saw Mark face to face again. It was better that way. If I needed his help I called him on the phone. There was a housewarming party by a client of mine; it brought our firm an easy five mil in billing alone. It was quite incidental that Mark sold him his first house. The house was so big that I didn't think I would bump into him; although, I would have loved to reenact every moment of our forgotten night. Only, if it weren't for the client introducing us for a hopeful business connection. My big mouth got me in a pickle when the client overheard my desire to purchase a summer house out in the Hamptons as well.

After the introduction to him and the woman on his arm our conversation was very much businesslike. I played my role as did he, but I was sure he didn't expect me to throw a monkey wrench into the game. I befriended his gem on his arm. I saw his eyes when I asked for an escort to the ladies' room. I took the opportunity to play the role of the woman with no friends and who hardly ever went out to rope her in. It worked because a week after we met she contacted me at the office to have lunch and since then our friendship had been building.

I secretly wanted her life and her position in Mark's life. I didn't know, nor did I care how long or serious they were. If befriending Regina put me closer to Mark, it was perfect. There was someone meaningful he had to meet, but I had to make sure it was serious and wouldn't fall apart.

How could that be? After calling to rush over here, then you just dismiss my presence. Is this meeting more important? What part do I play that's going to change everything? Has he finally changed his mind?
There were many questions running through my mind as he showered. My phone sounded off, alerting me to an unopened message. I reached for a mug and poured some coffee for myself before retrieving my phone. Why was Mandie texting me at this time of the morning? I returned her text:
What's up? Wit Mark. Can't talk
.

I stood at the kitchen counter waiting for her reply then her messaged flashed on the screen:
When is he leaving? We need to talk
.

I knew what she wanted; she just wanted to be in my business. I was used to her pattern by now.
Yeah k. Stop by before you head to court, I replied. Mark finally emerged from the bedroom dressed to kill
.

“Damn, this must be big, huh?”

“Yes, it's going to change a lot and I am going to need your help. I plan on getting this contract signed this morning so I will call you with the details in about an hour or so.”

“My help? With what?”

“If everything goes as planned I will have to sell out a building in thirty days. I will need you to make phone calls, send out e-mail blasts and, most importantly, get my corporate clients to see it.”

“And when you do sell out what happens then?”

“I like your confidence in me. It means a lot. We'll have a big party when it's all said and done.”

“Sounds good. I just hope the party isn't the only celebration in the works.” I looked down to my ring finger, twirling the imaginary diamond around in circles.

“You never know,” Mark said and kissed me on the cheek before walking out for his meeting.

I walked into the bedroom and tossed my purse into my closet then started to undress. As soon as I finished my shower and walked into my closet, I heard the service phone buzz. I threw my robe on and walked to the kitchen. I hated that I had to walk to the kitchen to answer that fucking phone. “I told him to connect it to the land line so we can pick it up anywhere in the condo. He doesn't fucking listen!”

“Good morning, Ms. Peterson. Miss Amanda Sutton is on her way up.”

“Thanks, can you let me know if Mark returns?”

“Sure will. Have a good day.”

I placed the old school phone handset back onto its cradle and walked to unlock the front door.

I opened the door. “What is so important, Mandie?” I asked as soon as she stepped off the elevator.

“Mark isn't around right?” she answered me with a question as she stepped through the door.

“No,” I said then stopped to look at her strange. She watched me up and down.

“Is this new?” She grabbed at the tied fabric strings.

“Girl, stop playing with me and tell me what the hell is so important that you just had talk to me about.” I swatted her hand and gently pushed her toward the kitchen.

“Ooh, can you make some more coffee?”

“Yeah, sure,” I said rolling my eyes.

“Okay, first don't be mad at me.”

“That doesn't sound like a good start, Mandie,” I said placing an empty mug in front of her.

“Mark called me.”

My heart sank. “And?”

“I picked up the phone not realizing it was him. Now . . . ”

I filled her mug with coffee.

“Thanks. I told him you were at a hotel—”

“You did what! Amanda, I thought I told you not to answer his call.”

“I'm sorry, Gina, but he caught me off-guard. It was like six something when he called me. My first instinct was just answering the phone. I didn't look at the screen or anything.”

“So what did you say?” If looks could kill she would have been dead.

“From your looks it seems that I fucked up royally. So when were you going to tell me you've been playing with toys on the sideline?”

Amanda was a good lawyer so I knew she could see right through me.
Damn!
I contemplated lying, but she dealt with liars every day. “Listen, Mandie, I didn't want to tell you anything because I didn't want you in my business, plain and simple. So now that you know what kind of lecture will you put forth?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Oh no, I have no lecture. Your business has always been your business. I just thought our friendship meant more than that. I thought you trusted me more than that.”

“I do trust you. I just didn't want you to look at me funny.” I didn't know what else to say.

“Well don't I feel like shit. My best friend of four years don't trust me enough to tell me she's fucking another dude besides her boyfriend. I guess next time I cover for you I'll return the same trust.” Her words cut deep.

“Look, Mandie, we've been friends for a long time and I don't want this to change anything.”

“How could it not? Answer me this, how many times have you used me as cover without my knowledge?”

My eyes fluttered, but I had to be truthful. “More than a few.” I chuckled a little.

“Funny, huh? So are you going to tell me details? Was it just for sex or are you really planning on leaving Mark?” she prodded.

“There you go with your Nancy Grace shit. I'm not one of your clients. And just so you know it was only about the sex.”

“Damn, I thought Mark worked you something awful. I guess I was wrong about his type. Maybe he's into some kinky shit and you need to bring it out of him. Ever tried roughing it up a little?”

Was she actually giving me advice? “No, and I know what he likes.”

“I'm sure you do. Did he not say anything to you?”

“Yeah, he did and I told him the truth.” My answer was a lie, short and to the point.

“Okay, I get it. You just got caught with your hand in the cookie jar and you feel you need to save face with me. I really don't give a shit what you do behind closed doors; I just thought we were friends. I guess I was wrong.” She took a sip of coffee and headed toward the front door to leave.

I knew I should have stopped her, but weighing her friendship against my future was an easy decision.
Why didn't he say anything?
That was the only question on my mind and I wanted his answer sooner rather than later.