The Right Side of My Pillow, стр. 27
Elise tossed her hair. “Look, since we’re laying all of our cards on the table, you should know that I don’t give a damn about the little friendship you had with Cole in some shit town forever ago. All I care about is the here and now. As long as you don’t get in my way, we won’t have any problems. But, the second I think your plans for Cole are more than just friendly…I promise I’ll make you want to crawl back into whatever hole you came out of.”
“Well, since we are being brutally honest…” Jade leaned just a bit closer to Elise to ensure she heard every single word. “Let me make a couple of things clear to you too. I can promise youthat you don’t have what it takes to gut me like a fish as you so eloquently put it, or anything else you can conjure up. And, while Cole may not see it, I see right through you. Fortunately, he’s a smart guy. It’ll only be a matter of time before he does too.”
“I can’t imagine Cole would think too kindly of you talking to his sister like that, Elise.”
Of all the people to witness this conversation, it had to be her. Elise didn’t understand her luck lately and didn’t even try to be cordial. She couldn’t stand her even more than she disliked Jade. “Carmen.”
Carmen had quietly walked up to the bar the moment she saw Elise talking to Jade…alone. She knew that had disaster written all over it.
Dryly, she returned her greeting. “Elise.”
“Jade and I were just coming to an understanding.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Well from what I could hear it sounded like you were threatening her to me.”
Nobody got under Elise’s skin like Carmen. “Why don’t you mind your own business?”
“When it comes to you, there are many reasons.” Carmen smiled. “But mainly because I enjoy watching you self-destruct.” Elise slid down from the bar stool. She glanced from Jade to Carmen.
“I’ve said all I needed to say. There really is no point in lingering around here any longer. Jade, please remember what we discussed.”
“Actually, no. I won’t spend even a second thinking about anything you’ve said tonight.”
Elise glared at Jade and completely ignored Carmen as she walked away.
Carmen shook her head. “That girl is a piece of work. It actually takes a herculean effort to be as small-minded and selfish as she is.” Carmen unfolded her arms to reach a hand out to Jade. “Hi, I’m Carmen Hudson. My husband, Doug, and Cole are business partners. You may not remember me, but we met the night they had to haul you out of here into an ambulance. We also ran into each other briefly at Cole’s the other night.” Carmen laughed. “Both times it seemed you were in a rush to get away.”
Dawning finally registered on Jade’s face. “Oh yes, now I remember. And, how could I forget either of those nights? It’s nice to see you again.” Jade smiled as she reached out to shake her hand. Immediately, she could tell she was going to like Carmen. “They were crazy and crazier.”
Unlike Elise, Carmen’s laughter actually did reach her eyes. “I hope you’re feeling better, and that Elise doesn’t send you running for the hills. I have to say she just might have put this night into contention for the craziest.”
Jade didn’t want to say too much to insult Cole’s girlfriend, so she let the remark pass. “Thanks. I am feeling much better compared to the night I was rushed to the hospital; a root canal would have been better but thanks.”
“My husband, Doug and I, were on our way to see a play at the Chicago Amphitheater and thought we’d stop here first for dinner. When I saw Elise over here with you, I thought you might need rescuing, but you seem to be handling her just fine on your own.”
“I think if we can stay out of each other’s way for the next couple of weeks we’ll be fine.”
Carmen wasn’t so sure. “Maybe. You’re on her radar. That must mean she sees the same things I do when Cole looks at you.”
That comment threw Jade. She laughed nervously. “I don’t know what you think you see but if that look is any indication, I can promise you, that you’re wrong.”
“Hmm…time will tell.”
“I’m only crashing at his place until I can find my own.”
Carmen couldn’t help but laugh. “Elise is trying so hard to become Mrs. Thornton. You’ve just thrown a serious monkey wrench into her entire plan. So, when I thought I saw her over here talking to you, I knew it couldn’t be good. I’ve known her for years, and I have no idea what Cole see’s in that girl.”
Even though Jade agreed with Carmen completely, she wasn’t going to discuss Cole’s personal life. “Well…she’s his choice, and I respect that. You seem to know a lot about her.”
“We went to the same private school for almost eight years. Only I came home at night, and she lived on campus. That’s one of the big differences between old money and new. I come from a big Spanish family, and we didn’t always have money. But, we always had lots of love between us. We’re very close. My father wanted to give me the best education money could buy without losing my roots. So, I came home every evening. Elise didn’t even know what city her parents were in half the time.”
Jade couldn’t even wrap her mind around that. Either situation; being a part of a big family or rich people. Not that she would probably ever have the problems that came with wealth, but if she did, Jade would never send her children away for anything. If she could, she would keep them close forever.
“Lots of women are intimidated by Elise. I can see you clearly are not. That’s good.”
“I don’t know why I would be? I’m not