Everything She Wanted Read Free

gets to keep everything.”
    “How is that possible? This is California. A community property state. She’s entitled to half.”
    Margo raised her hands to the sides and let them fall back to her thighs. “She signed a prenup. Whatever stipulations are in there, she violated them and only gets a million dollars.”
    “I’d take themillion and be happy.”
    “Would you? After nearly thirty years of marriage and living with the means to do and buy anything you want, you’d take a million and be happy? A house in most areas around here costs at least half that if not all of it. Look where she’s lived and how and tell me a million is enough.”
    Kate tipped her head, acknowledging that truth. “So what did she have to say aboutall of this?”
    “As you can imagine, she’s pissed. I don’t know all the details. Donald and I want to sit down and talk about it and what comes next.”
    Kate nodded, understanding dawning. “Which is why I’m here. You want me to babysit.”
    “Please. It’s only for a few days.”
    Kate widened her eyes and held her breath. “Days? Margo—­”
    “He’s nervous about what she’ll do now that sheknows about the divorce. He wants Alex away from here in case she does something.”
    “What does he think she’ll do?”
    Margo waved her hand. “Oh, mostly just throw a fit. Maybe come here to cuss him out and demand he give her what she wants. He doesn’t want Alex here if that happens.”
    “Does she know about you and Alex?”
    “About me, yes. Not Alex. At least Donald and I don’t think so.”
    Kate grimaced. “And you want to keep Alex a secret awhile longer.”
    “At least until Donald and I can be married. Please, Kate, will you take him for a few days? Four tops.”
    “I told you I needed time. I’m just settling in to seeing him with you when I visit.”
    “You never expected it to be this hard, did you?”
    “No. But nothing is ever easy, is it?”
    “Not for you and me.” Margoput her hand over Kate’s and squeezed. “If something happens, go to the safe deposit box. Everything you need is there. I set it up just like you taught me.”
    “Always have an escape plan.”
    “Everything is going to work out this time.”
    “If you believed that, you wouldn’t ask me to take Alex and remind me that even now we need a way out.”
    Margo squeezed Kate’s hand again. “I know everythingwill be okay. I’m being cautious and protective of what I love. When we had nothing, it was easy to walk away. Now, I have too much to lose to leave it to chance. Please, Kate. Do this for me, so I’ll have peace of mind and can see Donald through this rough patch.”
    Kate gave in to need and picked up Alex from his crib and held him to her chest. She stared down into his beautiful blue eyesand frowned. “Your mother knows exactly how to get me to do her bidding.”
    “I know it’s a lot to ask . . .”
    Kate brushed her lips against Alex’s forehead and smelled his sweet baby scent. Her heart softened and threatened to melt in her chest and reduce her to a teary-­eyed mess. “I got this, Margo.”
    “You always do.”
    “Is everything okay?” Donald asked from the door.
    “She saidyes,” Margo answered.
    “Thank you, Kate. It’s a lot to ask . . .”
    “Both of you stop. I’m the aunt. I’m the perfect person to ask. You two enjoy a few days alone. Alex and I will hang at the bar, go dancing, you know, have some fun.”
    Margo laughed and touched Kate’s shoulder. “You know he doesn’t have ID to get into the bar.”
    Kate shrugged that off. “I could probably call some oldcontacts and get him a fake one.”
    “Okay, but cut him off after one bottle,” Donald teased, holding up the baby bottle in his hand.
    Kate took it and stuffed the nipple into Alex’s mouth. He sucked greedily.
    “You hear that, little man?” Margo said. “One bottle and you’re done. Aunt Kate will take care of you. Maybe you can teach her to smile more often.” Margo