Read Online The Girl From Home by Adam Mitzner - Free Book Online Page B

on the ocean . . . in East Hampton . . . is going to cost twenty million, easy. And at that price, it’s a teardown. So, if that’s what you want, I got two or three to show you. If you want this particular house but on the ocean, you’re looking at thirty million plus. I got some inventory like that, too. I can get you in today. Just say the word.”
    What Harrison Kaye lacks in physical menace he more than makes up for in psychological warfare. He has just managed to hurt Jonathan more acutely than any punch to the face could by openly shaming him for only being able to afford a $12.9 million summer home.
    *  *  *
    â€œI really think we should put in an offer on that house,” Natasha says that night while they’re in bed. “Harrison says it’s a steal.”
    Jonathan snorts at the thought of a thirteen—sorry, twelve-nine —million-dollar house being a steal. “I think he’s the one committing larceny here. You do know that he’s going to net an eight-hundred-grand commission for an hour’s work.”
    â€œDon’t think about him, Jonathan, think about us. Relaxing in that hot tub, looking out onto the water . . .”
    She nuzzles next to him. He allows her to nibble his ear, but when she reaches down to his boxers, he knows he’s being played.
    â€œYou mean the water that is not the ocean, which is the one thing I said I wanted,” he says bluntly. “No, that’s not right—I also said I wanted a traditional, which that house is also not.”
    Natasha rolls away from him. Whatever sexual energy she had a moment ago is gone. So much so that she actually hikes the blanket up a bit, bringing it to just below her shoulders.
    â€œJonathan, we can’t get an oceanfront house in our price range. Not in East Hampton, anyway. It’s that simple.”
    â€œFine. So we’ll rent this summer on the ocean and we’ll buy next year.”
    â€œJonathan, renting something on the ocean in East Hampton is going to cost four hundred thousand for the summer. At least.”
    â€œThen that’s what we’ll pay. You know . . . I want what I want, Natasha.”
    â€œThat’s a ridiculous amount to spend for eight weeks.”
    â€œYou say that like you earned it.”
    She lets out a loud sigh, feeling no obligation to hide her disappointment. After a moment, in which she looks as if she’s measuring her words, Natasha says, “Jonathan, someday you’ll see that you can’t always get exactly what you want.”
    He raises his head and looks at her as if she’s just uttered the worst form of blasphemy he can imagine.
    â€œOf course I can, Natasha. I have for my entire life, and I have no intention of stopping now.”

6
Seven Months Later/December
    J ackie wishes she could sleep. After tossing and turning a few hours, she’s awake for good by six.
    There’s a silver lining to her insomnia, however. On a Sunday morning, she’ll have the run of the house for several hours. Emma is sleeping at a friend’s, and Robert never wanders out of his room before noon on the weekend. Based on how much Rick imbibed, he likely also won’t show his face until afternoon.
    Diana Matarazzo or somebody else last night must have gotten Rick all hot and bothered, because when they got home after the reunion, he was like a dog in heat. She didn’t protest, having long since realized that her resistance only revved him up more. And so she endured, thankful when he turned her over, so she didn’t have to look at his goddamned face. That he was drunk made him last longer than usual, which only gave her more time to think about how much she absolutely hated her husband.
    After making herself a pot of strong coffee, she takes a seat on the corner of the living room sofa, staring out the large bay window onto Farmington Lake. Clasping the mug with both