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things weren’t exactly adding up, including Brad’s assertion that Hunter had suddenly morphed into a gentleman.
    Brad fidgeted with his coffee cup.
    “Brad…?” she pressed.
    “You can see for yourself! You’re the one who added the clauses! Ten percent of residuals, and…” Brad blinked twice, like he always did when he was lying. “Fifty percent of the advance money.”
    “The deal was twenty, Brad. Twenty percent. How did that more than double?”
    Brad sank back in his chair. “I’m afraid you’ll have to take that up with him.”
    “You can just bet I will. This is ridiculous.”
    She started to stand, but Brad stopped her. “Just one more thing.”
    Jill took a breath, prepared for anything.
    Brad spit it out quickly like he was afraid to say it. “He wants you to move into his place, not the other way around.”
    That was really crossing the line. From what she’d heard, Hunter owned a cramped condo in the city. Jill had a spacious country cottage with room for her pets to roam. For all she knew, Hunter’s condo didn’t even allow pets! Jill had so much on her mind already, she couldn’t tolerate one more complication. Her grandpa’s retirement home had called this morning. Their rates were going up and they wanted to make sure Jill was renewing the assisted living agreement. There were several people on the waiting list, all of whom were prepared to make early deposits, if Jill found herself unable to. As her last bill was several weeks past due, the director found it necessary to press the point. Either she paid her balance soon— and a large deposit toward her grandpa’s next year—or her grandfather was out. Jill didn’t even know where she could move him at this stage. Most nice retirement places required residents to enter when they were still eligible for independent living.
    “He says he’ll keep covering utilities,” Brad continued. Jill’s blood pumped harder and her head ached. There are more conditions? Seriously? “But he wants you to pay your own parking.”
    This sent Jill straight over the edge. Here Hunter was offered a fair—no, make that generous —deal, and he’d thrown the whole thing back in her face. That was just like Hunter. Arrogant, self-serving, unbearable! A real gentleman now? Ha! Had she lost her mind even toying with the idea that this was doable? She’d sell off every last bit of her property first, starting with this stupid tennis racket. She reached for it again and her fingers tightened around its neck. That would save her from using it as a murder weapon. First against Hunter, then against Brad. Double homicide! No, wait. Since Brad was the one here, she’d probably have to kill him first.
    Jill leapt to her feet and her racket slammed to the floor. Brad watched wide-eyed as she started shredding the contract, dropping it piece by piece on the table. One of the strips curled in Brad’s coffee cup, absorbing the dregs of his latte.
    “Wait!” he cried in panic before lowering his voice to a whisper. “What are you doing?”
    “Showing you—and him— what I think of this little counteroffer.”
    “Jilly, you’re not being rational.”
    “Read my lips.” She set her hands on the table. “I…don’t…care.” And she didn’t! Forget Brad, and especially forget Hunter. Surely there was another way to make things work. She didn’t need Brad, nor did she require the help of his conniving best friend!
    “Trouble in paradise?”  
    Jill spun on her heels to see Cassandra had reappeared like a lurking phantom. She was toting a carry-out bag from the grill. “Are you stalking us, Cassandra?” Jill asked, reaching a hand behind her to the table. Keeping her eyes fixed on Cassandra’s, she grappled for the errant pieces of paper, balling them up in her fist. Brad helped by prying her fingers apart and shoving in a few extra strips.
    “Hardly.” Cassandra’s eyes were cold blue crystals. Cassandra tried to peer around Jill to see behind