Page 7 of The Holiday Ex-Files
“It’s not your fault. It’s been almost three years. I should be over it already. Besides, it’s not like we can avoid her. You’re related to her.”
Mara grimaced. “It’s the worst. Last week at my parents’ house, she announced she’s starting her own line of action wear called Claudia’s Collection. Tagline, If Claudia Cann Wear It, You Can Too.”
I snort laughed.
Mara’s eyes lit up. “That was my mom’s and my reaction too. Claudia didn’t appreciate it and literally smacked her butt before walking out.”
“That probably hurt her hand.” She had buns of steel.
Mara gave me a sympathetic smile. “Cams, you’re a million times better than her. My brother is an idiot, and honestly miserable—which he totally deserves.”
I perked up a bit. “Why is he miserable?”
She gave me a look that said, “Duh.”
“He’s married to a narcissist for one. For his birthday, she got his car wrapped with her picture and logo on it.”
“What? Are you serious? His precious Audi TT is covered with her? How did I miss that?” I bet he freaked, which made me ridiculously happy. He’d bought that car when we were married, and every day he would wipe any bit of dirt off it with a cloth baby diaper. He talked to it like it was a person. He’d say things like, Looking good, Audrey. Yes, he’d named his car.
“I’ve been waiting for a time like this to share that little gem.” She took my hand. “You have to quit comparing yourself to her. She doesn’t deserve the honor. Who cares if she can bench-press twice her weight and eats seaweed every day for lunch? Who wants to live like that?”
“Obviously, your brother.”
“Nah. He just likes the free advertising she brings to the table. I hate that he keeps beating me out every month as top salesperson. I blame her for incessantly pushing him on her followers like she’s sponsoring a homeless child who needs help. He needs help all right. Like a mental evaluation.”
“Yeah,” I whispered. Then why did he choose her over me? I always wondered.
“Cams, come on, you’re better off without him. Without romance period. Look, you even stopped watching Hallmark C-word movies cold turkey.” (Yes, my best friend even played along with my sick game of never naming the forsaken holiday I used to be crazy about.) “That alone is a victory.” Mara hated all things Hallmark and romance in general. I probably should have come around to her way of thinking a long time ago. Admittedly, once a upon a time, I was a hopeless romantic. Sometimes I missed that girl.
“I don’t want him back.” I meant every word of that. “It’s just, I gave him so much of myself and it meant nothing to him.” I cleared the emotion out of my throat. I was never crying over him again. Ever.
Mara took my hand and squeezed it tight. “That’s not true. As piggish as my brother is, I believe he loved you. He just didn’t know what to do with someone as good as you. And it’s not like my dad has been the best example of how a man should treat a woman,” she snarled.
It was the worst-kept secret that Jay Scott was a philanderer. Poor Kellie, Mara’s mom and the best mother-in-law I could have ever asked for. Why she stayed with him, I have no idea. Even Ben used to wonder. He’d even promised me he would never be like his father. He hated how much his father had hurt his mother. Ben was a liar and a chip off the old block.
Mara waved her hand around and squirmed. “Anyway, let’s not talk about them. We have serial killers to learn about.” She let go of me and grabbed her food.
I reached for my laptop. I had several clients waiting for me to vanquish their exes, at least in their photos. If only I knew how to do it in real life.
Mara was used to me working while we watched TV. I was a good multitasker.
Neville came out of his hiding spot in my room, jumped up on the couch, and settled as close as he could to me. He didn’t care for humans other than me and, well, Noah. Which reminded me. I pulled up the photos I had downloaded from Noah’s flash drive. Technically, I shouldn’t show them to Mara, but I’m sure Noah knew that I would. And it’s not like he was heartbroken over all the women he was doing couples photo shoots with. Though he should be. Wowza.
I stared at Noah’s latest victim. To say she was stunning was an understatement. We are talking ebony-skinned goddess with the most alluring bronze eyes. And her flowy dark hair was to die for. They were a gorgeous couple. The location was fantastic too, the nearby state park from the looks of it. The turquoise water of Aspen Lake shimmered in the background with the mountains looming in the distance. The photographer did an amazing job of using natural light. The mountains were glowing, as was the couple. Maybe Noah was part vampire after all.