JT cringed. “Barb, why are you doing this?”
“Because men like you make me sick. Men like you who chase innocent women, fool them into bed, and then simply toss them aside when you’re finished with them.”
“Look, as much as I’d like to help you, there’s no way I can get my hands on such a large sum of money in just a few short days.”
Barb chuckled but then turned serious. “You can and you will. I want my money by Friday, and I’ll call you back on Thursday to set up a time and place for us to meet.”
JT shook his head. “Look, I’m going to need at least-” he said, but Barb hung up before he could finish his sentence.
This was totally and completely insane, and JT hated that he’d placed himself in a position where he could be blackmailed by two different women. First Carmen had made her threats and now Barb was making hers, and he couldn’t deny that Barb could do a lot more damage than Carmen because she knew the kinds of secrets he would never want anyone, not another living soul, to find out about. Which was why he had to pay her what she was asking and hope she would go away for good this time. He hoped she would go about her business and pretend she’d never even known him.
As soon as JT strolled into Diana’s condo, he sat down on the mauve leather sofa and started lying. “I really hate having to ask you, but just before I left the church, I received a tentative budget amount from the ad agency, and it looks as though the campaign is going to cost quite a bit more than what I’d been counting on. So, instead of the original hundred thousand dollars we talked about, I’m now going to need a hundred and fifty.”
“Whoa,” she said, sitting next to him. “So, is this because radio and TV rates have gone up, or is it because you want to do more stations and for a longer period of time?”
“I do want to do a few more spots, but, yes, this is mostly because the rates are much more expensive than I had imagined.”
“Well, advertising is never cheap.”
“So, you don’t have a problem with it?”
“Not with the money, but before I commit to increasing the amount, I need to talk to you.”
“Okay. What about?”
“Us. Because even though you told me earlier that you’re going to spend a lot more time with me from now on, I sort of feel as though you’ve been purposely avoiding me. I’ve also been wondering if maybe it’s because you have another mistress who’s keeping you occupied.”
JT wasn’t sure where this was coming from but knew he’d better say whatever necessary to reassure her. “Another mistress? Are you kidding me? Because why would I need anyone else when I’m completely satisfied with you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I do know. And the only reason I haven’t been able to see you as often is because of all the responsibilities I have at the church. I’m being pulled in every direction, and there are some days when I’m completely wiped out. Plus, while I would love nothing more than to be with you every day if I could, I can’t ignore the fact that I have a wife at home.”
“I understand that, but as of late your time with me has been a lot less, and if I’m going to continue supporting you in such a major financial way, I have to know for sure that you’re going to be a lot more committed to our relationship.”
“I am committed, and you’re going to see a huge difference from this point on. Once I have this whole marketing blitz in place, I’ll be able to see you at least twice every single week the way you want.”
“I’m going to hold you to that, and I hope you don’t disappoint me, because my feelings for you have become a lot stronger than I’d planned on. So much so that I look forward to our time together more than I do anything else.”
She moved closer to him, loosened his tie, and kissed him up and down his neck, but he didn’t like how serious she was sounding. Diana was a wonderfully nice woman; JT enjoyed her company and loved sleeping with her, and interestingly enough, this was all he’d thought she’d wanted out of the deal as well. Still, though, he needed that hundred and fifty thousand dollars she was giving him, so he would do and say whatever that hundred and fifty thousand dollars required.
“I feel the exact same way,” he said as she kissed the other side of his neck. “I think about you practically every hour of the day, and I always hate leaving you when I have to go home.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” she said between kisses, and then stood up, grabbed his hand, and led him toward the bedroom.
JT went along willingly and could tell she was content with all that he’d just confessed to her. It was clear that the only thing she was expecting from him now was hot, passionate love. And needless to say, hot, passionate love was exactly what he was going to give her.
Chapter 26
JT had left Diana’s about an hour ago and was heading back to the church, but when Alicia had called to say she’d come home from the hospital to shower and change, he’d stopped by to see her for a few minutes.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, hugging and kissing his wife and then leaning against the armoire, watching her finish getting dressed. “It’s a shame when a person can look as good as you do even in jogging pants and a T-shirt.”
“Why, thank you, sir,” she said, smiling. “Actually, it’s a little too warm outside to be wearing this, but it won’t be once I get back to the hospital because they have it freezing in there. It’s the reason I’m taking my jacket with me, too.”
“Yeah, they do keep it pretty cold. They do it because of all the germs sick people tend to have.”
“Yeah, that’s for sure.”
“So, there’s still no change in Rita’s condition?”
“No. None at all.”
“I’m really sorry to hear that.”
“So am I, and I really feel bad for Carmen. Which is why I was thinking that if her mom doesn’t get better very soon, I would really like to invite her to come stay with us for a while.”
JT swallowed the massive lump lodged in his throat and tried keeping his composure. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”
Alicia squinted her eyes, clearly upset about his response. “And why is that?”
“Because, baby, we’re still newlyweds, and I don’t think we should be sharing our household with any outsiders. I mean, I know Carmen is a childhood friend of yours, but it’s not like you’ve been around her on a regular basis for years.”
“But she doesn’t have anyone else. She’s an only child and the few relatives she has all live out of town. And I just don’t think it’s good for her to be alone.”
“I’m sorry, baby, but moving her in here won’t work for me. I just can’t agree to something like that.”
Alicia walked over to him and locked her hands inside of his. “Honey, I realize you don’t really know Carmen, but she’s a good person and she really needs me right now. So, can you at least just think about it?”
“We can discuss this later, but I may as well tell you now that there’s no chance of me changing my mind.”
Alicia sighed. “Baby, why are you being so selfish? Especially at a time like this?”
“I’m not. But I’ve also never been in the habit of opening up my home to just anyone.”
“Carmen isn’t just anyone, and I thought this was my home, too.”
“Of course it is, but I’m not going to allow someone to stay here when I don’t even know if they can be trusted.”
Alicia released his hands and walked away from him.
“Baby, come on. Please don’t be upset with me about this.”
“You’re wrong,” she said, sitting down on the side of the bed, slipping into her gym shoes, and tying them up. “I mean, where’s your compassion?”