up and down.
“I didn’t know you could cook.”
‘Just a hobby. I was lonely.”
Jake bit his lip.
“Lily, you can get a boyfriend. I’ll cover for
you.”
I looked up.
“Okay, I’ll remember that.”
I put the food on the table: four simple dishes.
Jake tasted one.
“It’s so nice when your wife makes food!”
He looked embarrassed.
<
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
I smiled.
“Don’t apologize. I am your wife.”
Jake put down his spoon.
“I wanted to ask you something.”
“I want my Sterling shares back.”
“That was a wedding present! Britney is my
wife in my heart. Can you give them to her?”
I stayed calm.
“Britney told you to ask me?”
Jake looked away.
“I think so too.”
<
“Is that fair?”
“Your family gave us a huge gift. You should
earn your presents. You shouldn’t ask me.”
Jake flushed.
“I can trade you my family’s shares.”
I smiled.
“Really? You’d be broke.”
Jake went sent.
He spent all his time partying, not working.
Before we got married, he got money from his
parents.
After? He’d have to work.
He had the house and the shares.
If he gave up the shares, he was screwed.
Jake looked defeated.
“I’m useless. Do you look down on me?”
I thought about it.
“You have a job in Sterling, right? You should work hard and earn shares for Britney.”
Jake shook his head.
“Chase is amazing! Dad taught him everything.
I can never beat him.”
Chase was amazing?
He was all ambition, no talent.
“I saw your awards. Basketball, games, racing… You’re tough. If you want to do it, you can.”
<
9:17
Jake blushed.
“Do you really think so?”
+))
I pulled out some documents from the drawer.
“I worked at Sterling before the wedding, so I know it. I’ll help you. If we can get Iris, you’ll get respect. Your dad will be proud.”
Chase had screwed up by choosing another
partner.
I wanted Jake to take the shortcut.
Lily would never be able to trade with Chase,
ending up getting beat up.
“I’ll try?”
Jake wanted to tell Britney.
99
“She’ll be so supportive!”
But Britney said, “Whatever. Just get the
shares. Give me a good reason!”
Jake was bummed.
“You don’t believe in me?”
“It’s too much trouble. Ask Lily. If you don’t, I will.
“I’m going to work hard and earn them. And
stay away from Lily.”
“What? Do you like her?”
“I don’t, but you’ll embarrass yourself.”
“I think you like her. What’s happened to us since you married her?”
lake didn’t want to hear it
<
9:17
Jake didn’t want to hear it.
99
He hung up.
Britney started calling and texting, saying she
would kill herself.
Jake felt disappointed and didn’t go to her.
7
The next day, Jake woke me up.
His eyes were bright.
“Lily, a friend knows the CEO of Iris. I almost
memorized the plans. Now I need to learn more
and make sure I get it right.”
I was exhausted.
