Read Payback and a Bottle of Merlot: Like Sisters Series Book One for Free Online Page B

will ever catch him. He controlled my life for years, and it sounds like yours too. He’s playing mind games with this woman and has for a long time. I think Jack Barnes needs a thorough jacking up. He has to learn women aren’t his playthings, and if he needs to be publicly taken down a few notches, then so be it. I’m sorry I was so angry toward you, Mia. I had the wrong information and the wrong person. You aren’t to blame for anything. I was so bitter before, but now it’s time to let go. You need to take back control of your own life too. Jack will never change, so what do you want to do? Do you want me to help you take him down, or are you going to divorce him without consequences, so he can continue lying to woman?”
    “Jack needs to go down. I have a few friends on board, but with your help, he won’t see it coming. We have to figure out how to tell Sasha what he’s doing. She needs to know the real man she’s been with all these years. Can we get together next week, here? I can’t risk having you come to my house. My friends will come along if that’s okay.”
    “Yes, but give me your phone number, so I have it. I’ll talk to you soon. We’ll come up with something. Don’t lose any sleep over him, he isn’t worth it.”
    “Thanks, Karen. I’m so glad we talked. I’ll see you next week.” Mia left in better spirits and was relieved as she drove back to Tarrytown. It isn’t about me. I haven’t done anything wrong. You’re just a lying jerk, Jack, and you’re going to pay.
    ***
    Mia couldn’t wait to tell Vic and Tina what she found out. It was almost unbelievable what she learned from Karen. She checked the time, four o’clock. She knew Vic and Tina were still working. I’ll stop and visit Aaron for a while. He always makes me smile.
    Mia drove into downtown Tarrytown and parked at the town square parking lot. She walked the two blocks to Daniels Camera Shop and entered the store. Aaron was helping a customer pick out a telephoto lens. His eyes lit up at the sight of Mia walking through the door. He gave her a wink and a grin as he rang up the customer’s purchase.
    “Thank you, and come again,” he called out as the customer left. “Hey, beautiful, how did I get so lucky to have you visit me on a Wednesday?”
    “Aaron, I’d visit you anytime. You know how much I love this store, and you aren’t so bad yourself,” she teased.
    “Wow, I must be making progress. Am I wearing you down? How about dinner? I could close up early,” he said, pleading and joking at the same time.
    “Sorry, but let’s sit and have coffee. When did you make this pot?” she asked, before beginning to pour.
    “Sweetheart, you don’t even want to know.”
    “That’s fine, you goof, I’ll make a fresh pot.” Mia looked at Aaron with his huge smile and knew in time, everything would be okay.
    They sat together at the small wooden table which had been in the corner of his shop for decades. That tiny table held a long lived tradition in his store. It was a custom started by his grandfather that continued on, and the patrons enjoyed it. They could help themselves to cookies, cocoa and coffee as they browsed his wonderful shop.
    “Is everything okay, Mia?” Aaron asked, being the intuitive friend he was. He could tell since she wasn’t there to buy anything. Her body language said something might be amiss.
    “Aaron, you know me so well. Let’s just say things aren’t the way they ought to be. I don’t think I’ve ever known the real Jack. It makes me doubt my own judgment.”
    “Mia, if you need anything, just name it. I’ll never give you a reason to wonder if you can trust me. That goes for the other two stooges in your life as well. Vic and Tina love you like a sister, and they’ll always protect you. The three of us will listen, talk, laugh and cry with you whenever you need us. You know that, right?” Concern was written across his face. “If there’s anything you ever want to talk