The Unkindest Cut - By Honor Hartman Page 0,18

her back rigid.

Sophie and I glanced at each other. What now?

The woman Paula had addressed, an attractive redhead in her late forties, turned slowly and faced Paula. ‘‘Oh, goody, just what I needed to make this joyful day complete. One stupid bitch behind the desk, and the queen of them all here to greet me.’’

Chapter 7

‘‘Mom!’’ The young man, with hair a paler version of his mother’s fiery mane, put a hand on her arm. ‘‘Not now.’’

‘‘Relax, Will,’’ she said. Her gaze softened when she looked at her son. When she focused on Paula again, however, her eyes hardened.

‘‘Just stay out of my way, Paula, and you won’t get hurt,’’ she said. Then, turning her back on Paula, she faced Veronica again. ‘‘I have a reservation, and you’d better stop stalling and let us have our rooms. I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to discuss your customer relations with your boss. I don’t think he would be happy to know just how hospitable you are to other women’s husbands.’’

Obviously furious, Veronica stood and stared across the counter at the woman who now smiled serenely back at her. Taking a deep breath, Veronica began fiddling with her computer.

Paula, with an obvious lack of common sense, moved closer to the redhead. ‘‘Now, listen, Lorraine. Everything’s going to be fine. Really, it will be. I’ve asked Avery for a divorce, and you can have him back.’’

So Lorraine was the former Mrs. Trowbridge, the one whom Avery had divorced in order to marry Paula. I glanced at Sophie—she was intent on the scene before us. We really should have left at that point, but we were both far too curious to do so.

Lorraine Trowbridge motioned for her son to sign the paper Veronica had thrust across the counter. With a fierce frown, he did so. A sardonic smile on her lovely face, Lorraine moved closer to Paula.

‘‘Why on earth would I want Avery back now? I wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole after he’s been with you.’’

‘‘I don’t want him either,’’ Paula said, her shoulders tensing. ‘‘He’s a bastard, and I just want to be free of him.’’

‘‘My, my,’’ Lorraine said. ‘‘And after you worked so hard to get him. All that time on your back, and now you don’t want him anymore.’’ She turned toward the counter. ‘‘Did you hear that, Veronica? Paula doesn’t want him anymore, so now’s your chance. You might as well put all the time you spent on your back to good use. Avery is obviously up for grabs.’’

‘‘Mom, come on,’’ Will Trowbridge said. He was patently embarrassed by what had transpired. He picked up their luggage, two large bags, and started moving in the direction of the elevator. ‘‘Come on, Mother, now, please.’’

Yielding to her son, Lorraine followed him and the luggage, but not before casting one last nasty, triumphant smile at Paula and Veronica.

Veronica stalked into the office behind the desk and slammed the door. Paula turned in our direction, and she wilted even further right before our eyes.

‘‘I’ve made such a mess of things,’’ she said, in the most woebegone voice I’d ever heard. Since that was so obviously true, neither Sophie nor I had a response. I did feel sorry for her, though, so I moved closer to her and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

‘‘Why don’t you go to your room and rest,’’ I said. ‘‘You’ve had a rough few hours, and I think a good nap will make you feel better.’’

‘‘Exactly,’’ Sophie said, patting Paula’s arm. ‘‘Listen to Emma. Go take a long hot bath to relax, and then have a nap.’’

‘‘Thank you,’’ Paula said, her lower lip trembling. ‘‘I think I will.’’ Sobbing softly to herself she turned away from us and went toward the elevator.

Sophie and I waited until the elevator had come and carried Paula away before we moved. Sophie turned to me. ‘‘This is some little soap opera.’’

‘‘No kidding,’’ I said, shaking my head. ‘‘And I have a nasty feeling it’s just going to get a lot worse before we’re done with it.’’ I headed for the elevator. ‘‘Come on, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a little quiet time.’’ I punched the call button.

Sophie shook her head. ‘‘No, you go ahead. I still want to check out the gym. I really ought to put in some time on a treadmill today if I can.’’

I laughed. ‘‘You and your treadmill. Oh, well, have fun. I’m going upstairs.’’ The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside.

‘‘See