Payback and a Bottle of Merlot: Like Sisters, #1

Chapter One

She went to bed alone more often than she had before, it seemed. Mia stirred at the familiar groan of the heavy wooden garage door struggling to rise. She rolled over and glanced at the clock—11:58 p.m. She recognized the sound of Jack entering the house through the kitchen and going through the same motions he did almost every night. The liquor-cabinet hinges squeaked when he opened the double doors. He poured Scotch into a glass with rocks. That was the norm.

He gets off work at six o’clock, for God’s sake. Why can’t he ever come home then? She jabbed at the down pillow and fell back to sleep.

The morning light streaming through the sheer curtains woke Mia as it did every day. She rarely needed to depend on the alarm—she knew when it was five thirty.

Jack walked into the kitchen as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Morning, he said in his typical monotone voice, not waiting for a response. Where’s the newspaper?

It’s outside in the driveway. That’s where the newspaper boy throws it every morning, Jack.

Are we having an attitude today? I don’t like it when you have an attitude with me, Mia, he growled as he bent over and laced up his shoes.

I’m not having an attitude, but since you’re the one who reads the paper, I figure you can get it.

Jack deliberately slammed the front door on his way out and returned a minute later with the Wall Street Journal. So, what’s your problem this morning? he asked with a sneer as he sat back down.

Nothing, other than that I can’t figure out why I eat dinner alone four nights a week.

Being the regional sales director of Plan-It Kidz is a big deal. We’re the largest kids’ clothing and toy retailer in the world. I’m going places, and I’m sure I’ll be at the national level within a few months. I have people to schmooze.

Yeah, you are going places—every night! What about us? There are places we could go as a couple, like on a vacation. When was the last time we even went out to dinner or spent a night relaxing with a good movie? We’re strangers passing each other in the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. You’re never here anymore.

Really, do you have to be so dramatic? He poured a splash of coffee into his cup. Just so you know, Friday night I’m going to stay in the city. Claire has a piano recital, and she asked me to come. I’ll be home Saturday afternoon.

Saturday afternoon? Why not take the late train back Friday night or even the Saturday morning train? So, you’re saying I’m not invited, right? It’s a ‘family’ thing, and I should understand that spending most of your free time outside of work with your ex-wife and daughter is normal.

Damn it! Get off my back already. I’m tired of your constant complaining. I told you three years ago when we started dating that I had a daughter.

Yes, you remind me of that regularly. But what you didn’t say was shared custody meant the three of you were going to be together all the time. Why don’t you ever have Claire visit us here and stay for the weekend? I’ve never even met her.

Claire hasn’t asked to meet you, and I’m going to wait until she does. Anyway, there’s nothing for a kid to do in this shit hole of a town, and I don’t have time for this conversation. Jack glanced at his watch. Gotta go. I’ll be home late.

Claire doesn’t know me because you don’t give her a chance to, Mia yelled. You didn’t hear a word I said, as usual, damn you.

Jack grabbed his briefcase and walked out through the garage. The overhead door opened, and Mia watched out the kitchen window as he backed down the driveway without so much as a wave good-bye.

Mia stared at the car until it disappeared from sight. She grumbled and dumped her cold coffee down the drain. It was time for a quick breakfast and a shower. She had plenty of errands to do that morning and a dentist appointment at eleven.

Her cell phone came alive to her favorite classic rock song as she opened the driver’s door of her flawless black 1969 Camaro Z28.

What’s up, woman?

Hey, Chica, I got an invitation in the mail for my cousin’s wedding on July 26. You have to go with me, Mia. I’m not about to go alone like a total loser. The invitation has my name on it and ‘plus one,’ so it looks like you’re my date.

Vic, there’s nobody in the world who would ever remotely think of you as a loser. You’re the most savvy, hippest, coolest babe this side of Manhattan.

Yeah, enough about me. Just commit already, or at least say you’ll give it some serious thought. We’ll have to go dress shopping before that anyway, so I’ll need your answer soon.

I’m not sure. I’m so tired of being yelled at every time I want to do something with my friends, especially on a weekend. Anyway, you’ve listened to me whine about Jack a million times.

You’re right—I don’t want to hear you whine. You shouldn’t have to. He’s your husband, for crap’s sake. You make excuses left and right while that idiot does whatever the hell he wants. You know he runs your life, right? I’m giving you more than two months’ notice. That’s better than anything he does. He tells you on his way to work in the morning that he’s not coming home at night. How often has he done that? You know what I say?

"Well, yeah… I do know what you say. Screw him, right?"

That’s exactly right, plus he’s a control freak. You need to get away from him and hang out with us girls more often—and not just when he’s at work. Jeez… say yes already. My family is huge, and my cousin has a million friends. You’re bound to meet some hot hunk of manflesh there.

Vic, you’re nuts. You should be looking for a man of your own instead of worrying about me. I’m married already.

Yeah… and therein lies the problem. We need to unmarry you so you can find Mr. Right instead of Mr. Totally Wrong. So, do you want to do lunch?

You’re seriously deranged, and that’s why I love you. Okay… how about twelve thirty at Bottoms Up?

Sounds perfect, see you soon.

Mia hung up and chuckled. Victoria Maria Alonso, or Vic for short, had been one of her best friends since kindergarten. Her other best friend, Tina Lawrence, felt like a sister, and the three of them knew everything about each other’s lives. Their friends in town nicknamed them The Three Stooges and The Three Musketeers.

Vic and Tina were co-owners of Hair Brained, an upscale hair and makeup salon downtown. They took turns touching up Mia’s blond highlights monthly while they gossiped and drank wine.

Vic definitely wasn’t Jack’s biggest fan. She had plenty of names for him that shouldn’t be repeated out loud, but Mia knew deep down that Vic only had her best interest at heart. She shook her head and laughed as she backed out of the driveway and headed into town.

***

Going to Daniels Camera Shop in downtown Tarrytown to get film was an errand Mia loved. It was like going back in time. She parked the car and decided to walk a bit before going in. The downtown area was her favorite place and gave her a sense of peace. She loved everything about the village, from the enormous hanging flower baskets on every street corner to the Victorian gazebo smack in the town center. Taking the train to Manhattan was super convenient for work, but not having to live there was the real bonus. Tarrytown was beautiful, quaint, and just the perfect size. People knew each other by name, and it was home to Mia. She’d grown up there and never wanted to live anywhere else. Jack regularly talked of moving back to Manhattan, loving the fast pace of the big city. He often commented on how drab and boring small towns were, just to get her goat. It was almost a taunt, and he brought it up often. It irritated Mia to no end.

She opened the old oak door with the glass panel and stepped over the threshold into the shop. The bell above the door and the squeak of the wooden-plank floor were constant reminders of what she loved about the building.

I’ll be right there, a voice called out from the back.

It’s just me, Aaron. I need some film.

Aaron Daniels was the owner of the camera store, which had been in his family since 1933. His grandfather had opened the shop and then passed it down to Aaron’s father, the senior Mr. Daniels, who still worked there part-time every Saturday. Mia had digital cameras but loved working with film now and then, plus it was a good excuse to visit Aaron. She had known Aaron most of her life, but they’d been close friends since high school. He’d heard her relationship stories, whether good or bad, far too many times, and had listened to her every word with a pained expression on his face. He loved her and made no attempt to hide it. Aaron was a man in love, unconditionally, with Mia James.

His eyes lit up when he saw her. Hey, beautiful, how’s it going?

Stop it, Aaron, she kidded.

Stop what—telling the truth? It’s not a crime to say you’re beautiful, you know. How about dinner tonight? he asked for the thousandth time.

Aaron, you drive me nuts! And no, I can’t go out to dinner with you.

Why not?

You know perfectly well why not. I’m married to Jack, remember?

"Jack… Jack who? I don’t want to stick my nose in your business, but you do know I’m crazy about you, right? I love you, Mia, and that’s no joke. He had a beautiful smile and huge brown eyes. Someday, you’ll come to your senses and realize Jack’s not the man for you."

Oh, Aaron, I love you too. You’re my best guy friend, and I don’t know what I would ever do without you. I hope I never find out, either. Anyway, I need some ISO 200 and 400 film. I’m doing a photo shoot in Beacon tomorrow and then another in the city on Saturday. I just want to get everything now since the prices in Manhattan are crazy expensive.

All right, gorgeous—give me a second. I’ll be right back with your film.

Mia walked around Aaron’s wonderful shop, remembering the hundreds of times she’d been there. She loved this store and Aaron. He was her rock, the man she leaned on for everything. Is that fair to him? Aaron was such a handsome man, strong and reliable. Everything about him was nice—comfortable in a way. He was honest, good-looking, never married, and crazy in love with her. So, what’s my problem anyway? Why didn’t I fall in love with Aaron years ago? Is he just too dependable, too predictable, too much of a friend? Was I attracted to Jack because he was indifferent to me? That’s disgusting.

What did you say, hot stuff? Aaron asked with a huge smile.

Oh, nothing, I was just thinking out loud.

Well, here’s your film. Have a great time in Beacon, Mia. I know how much you like that town. And be careful in the city. See you next week for dinner, right?

No can do, Aaron. You’re crazy, but I love you anyway. See you next week.

***

He watched her walk out as he had so many times before. Her long blond hair caught the wind and swirled across her face as the door closed behind her. Her jeans were tight in just the right places, and the black, distressed-leather biker jacket and moto boots gave her that sexy edge Aaron loved. Mia glanced back through the window as though aware of him watching her. She blew a kiss to him and waved before disappearing around the building.

My God, what a beauty, he said, shaking his head, as the next customer came through the door. Hello there. Can I help you?

Chapter Two

Hey, girl. Vic air kissed Mia and pulled up a bar stool at Bottoms Up. They each ordered a beer and began paging through the menu.

Mia loved hanging out with Vic, and she did it often even though Jack tried to keep her on a short leash. He had no reason to dislike Mia’s friends—he just didn’t want her to have any. Mia usually got together with the girls while Jack was at work. Any other time, he refused to let her go out.

I really need my best friend and a few beers right now. You’re a great sounding board, Vic.

I sure am. What did the jerk do now?

It was the typical morning fight before he went to work. I’m so sick of being ignored and really living alone. I mean, why be married at all?

"Jack’s a control freak. It sounds like you’re coming to your senses though. Divorce his ass, and date someone who deserves you, or take some time off and hang with me. We have so much fun together. Jack is a self-centered, arrogant, egotistical snob. When the right man comes along, you’ll feel it, or I’ll tell you. But for sure, the next man needs to be your own age, and he has to be likable and hot. Jack’s had a stick up his ass from the day you met him. Find someone who’s fun, then maybe I’d actually come over and hang out with you once in a while."

Jack’s only seven years older than me, Mia said, frowning.

"Yeah, he’s forty years old and tries to run your life like he’s your father. He does whatever the hell he wants, and you sit there and stew about it. Get rid of him, and the sooner the better. When was the last time you had a good romp in the hay with him—the operative word being good? Or when was the last time he took you out for a night on the town? Manhattan is less than an hour away, Mia. You could spend the weekend, see a show, order room service and get laid. You should be doing the same things couples who actually love each other do."

That sounds nice. I can’t think of a time we’ve ever done that even when we were dating.

That’s right, and it sucks. Sweetie, haven’t we had this conversation a million times? You make a decent living on your own. There aren’t any kids to concern yourself with. You can part ways without any ties or hard feelings.

I have a lot of thinking to do—that’s all. Jack either spends hours and hours at work, or is in the city with his daughter. He never has time for me. I’m so over our lifestyle, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to throw in the towel yet. There had to be something he saw in me to make him want to marry me. I have to try harder, don’t I?

"I can’t believe you said that. I ought to smack you upside the head. He was lucky you accepted his lame proposal in the first place. Um… hello—a proposal via text, no less. Can you get any tackier than that?"

He was on the road, Vic.

Whatever, Mia, stop making excuses for the man. He treats you like you’re nobody, and that’s the farthest thing from the truth. He spends way too much time with his spoiled kid and ex. Don’t forget, he’s not just spending time with his daughter—the ex–ball and chain is with them too.

That’s hard to forget. I know it all too well. Let’s order lunch and talk about something else, okay?

Sure, hon, just one last thing. There are a lot of men willing to give their right nut to go out with you. Move on and meet the real deal, or stay with Mr. Wrong and be pissed off for the rest of your life. You want kids someday, and he isn’t going to give you any. To me, that’s definitely a deal breaker. Look how hot you are. I can name five guys right now who would love to knock you up, especially Aaron. Why do you think he’s stayed single all these years? He’s waiting for you to get your head out of your ass. In my opinion, Aaron would be a great catch. That’s just my two cents.

Oh my God, what am I going to do with you? At least I know where to go for a good laugh whenever I need one, Mia said, almost choking on her beer.

Okay, so about me: I met this gorgeous guy at Morey’s last night. Let me tell you all about him, Vic went on cheerfully.

You’re insane, Mia said, and she listened to Vic’s story.

***

Mia took a gulp of her soda then flung her head upside-down and turned the blow dryer to the highest setting. A soda took the place of lunch as she was more rushed than usual.

Why am I always running late? I don’t have time for this crap. She gave up the attempt to look put together and yanked her damp hair back into a ponytail. It was the only way she would get out of the house on time. She had a train to catch. With her backpack full of camera equipment, she did a quick once-over of the living room to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything. Keys? Check. Purse? Check. Backpack? Check. I’m out of here. Mia took another glance at her watch. Damn it—I’m going to miss the train if I don’t hurry. I have ten minutes before it leaves the station.

Jack popped into her mind as she drove. He irritated her to no end. Vic was right. He always had an excuse to stay overnight in the city. Giving the current conditions of her marriage way too much thought, Mia hit the brakes just before blowing through an intersection. Cars skidded, and horns blared at her. Shit! Enough already! It’s time to get him out of my head before I cause an accident. She arrived at the station and boarded seconds before the train departed. With a photo shoot to do in Beacon, one of her favorite villages, she had no intention of being late. With any luck, she could hit some antique stores before heading home later.

Mia had almost an hour to relax on the train, and her mind drifted back to Jack. She needed to come up with some direction, a new focus for her life. This life, this marriage, definitely wasn’t working the way she’d hoped.

Three years ago, Jack had picked her number to call while looking for someone to shoot photographs for his portfolio. Being a successful sales rep, he’d been offered a nice promotion with Plan-It Kidz, so updated photos for his portfolio and business cards were in order. He’d heard through the grapevine that Mia James would be a great photographer for the job.

Mia remembered sitting in the reception area of Plan-It Kidz on Fifth Avenue. She’d waited for Mr. Barnes to come through his office door and welcome her in. She hoped he would be on time—she had other places to be that morning. He’d set up an appointment to see her portfolio before deciding which photographer to hire for the job. Mia wasn’t the least bit nervous—just a little impatient—until the door opened and their eyes met. She wasn’t prepared for the man who stood in front of her, smiling that infectious smile. That gorgeous face—she was instantly smitten. He invited Mia in and offered her a comfortable leather chair to sit on while he introduced himself as Jack Barnes, regional sales director of Plan-It Kidz. Mia couldn’t take her eyes off him. Jack flashed perfect white teeth and had an oh-so-sexy dimple planted squarely in the center of his chin. His azure eyes pierced her soul and made her heart skip a beat every time he looked at her. She stammered as she spoke,