The Summer of Sunshine and Margot - Susan Mallery Page 0,92
upset you. I know there was something.”
Bianca pressed her lips together. “Fine. It was nothing, really. I wasn’t going to let that man touch me at all. What a ridiculous thing to ask. He was a pig, by the way. But then, when I was in the bathroom, I heard two women talking about me.”
She turned away. “I don’t know why we’re discussing this.”
Margot moved to the sofa and angled toward Bianca, meeting her troubled gaze. “I will never judge you.”
“Unless I let someone touch my bare ass.”
“I didn’t judge. I was shocked and confused, but that was all.”
Bianca’s bravado faded. “They said I was a whore and a homewrecker, which is completely unfair. I never slept with married men. It wasn’t my thing. I slept with a spy once, only I didn’t know he was a spy. He was a movie producer and very handsome. Once, when we were together in his villa up in the Hollywood Hills, the FBI raided his house and he was dragged off. It was very exciting and a little frightening.”
She smiled. “I was naked and the youngest agent just couldn’t take his eyes off me. It was like real life combined with a movie. I loved it. We dated for nearly a month.”
Margot was having a little trouble keeping up. “You and the producer?”
“What? Yes, we dated, but I meant me and the FBI agent. He was too young for me, but very sweet. The things I taught him.” She sighed. “Anyway, my point is I never slept with married men. I’ve always thought that was beyond foolish. Any man who would cheat on his wife wasn’t worth my time. But they upset me.”
“Those women? Of course they did. You must have felt awful. The truth is they were jealous, mean bitches. They felt inadequate and because they couldn’t deal with that, they had to bring you down. I’m sorry it happened.”
Bianca touched her arm. “Thank you, Margot. That’s very sweet.”
“I mean it. I wish I’d been there. I would have told them off for sure.”
Bianca smiled. “You would have been formidable.”
“I hope so.” Now everything made sense, she thought. “You probably would have been fine if you hadn’t run into that guy again. You were feeling vulnerable so you agreed to what he asked because it wasn’t like he was going to ask them if he could touch their butts. Instead you got to be wild and the center of attention and just a little bit bad. I get it.”
She softened her words with a smile. “How did that strategy work for you?”
“I thought it went well, but you and Alec had a fit.”
Margot waited. Bianca groaned.
“Fine. I shouldn’t have done it because of Wesley and all.”
“You’re always going to be a target, Bianca. You know that. We need to come up with some coping mechanisms for when you feel attacked.”
“I did like talking to the shy people in the room. They were all so grateful.”
“Everyone wants to feel special and no one is better at making someone feel like the center of the universe than you. Something else you can do is simply walk away. You’re not going to be by yourself at these events. Find Wesley. Maybe the two of you could come up with a code word so he’ll know you’re upset.”
Bianca laughed. “We already have code words. You know for when—”
Margot held up her hand. “No. Do not tell me that.”
“You and Alec might want to—”
“Stop.”
Bianca pouted. “You’re not very fun.”
“I’m not here to be fun. I’m here to help you be comfortable in Wesley’s world. Talk to him about this. Work on a plan together. He loves you and wants to help.”
Bianca’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want to be broken.”
“You’re not broken. You’re...” Margot searched for an analogy. “Remember how we talked about you not being a surgeon? That’s still true. You might have an innate ability but without training, you would be dangerous in the operating room, talent or not. That’s all we’re doing here—learning new skills.”
“You do love your medical analogies.”
“I’ve used them maybe twice.”
“Still, new material, my dear. It’s always helpful.”
Margot threw herself against the sofa back. “You’re impossible.”
Bianca smiled and said nothing.
* * *
Saturday morning, Sunshine woke up way earlier than she wanted to. She hadn’t slept well at all. Despite leaving on the TV so she couldn’t hear anything outside of her room, she’d still found herself listening for Declan. Eventually she’d fallen asleep but she had no idea what