Nine Lives Read Online Free Page B

quick squeeze.
    â€œYou look great, as always. So what’s new with you?”
    Wilson McKay’s face immediately came to mind, but Cat ignored it. They hadn’t even had what would amount to a real conversation, so there was nothing to report.
    â€œNothing,” Cat said, then leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Spit it out, Mimi, and don’t lie. I’ll know if you do.”
    Marsha blinked, then looked away as tears immediately pooled. The sound of her old nickname from her best friend’s lips was a painful reminder of a happier time.
    â€œYou are too smart for your own good,” she mumbled.
    Cat felt sad. Seeing Marsha in such distress broke her heart.
    â€œAnd you’re too gentle-hearted for yours. Who hurt you? Tell me and I’ll make him sorry.”
    Marsha tried to smile through the tears. “Why would you assume it’s a man?”
    Cat rolled her eyes. “Because they’re always trouble. Am I right?”
    Marsha sighed, then nodded.
    â€œWho is he?” Cat asked.
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. Besides, you can’t keep fighting my battles.”
    Cat frowned. “I can and I will. Come on, Mimi…I don’t like to see you this way.”
    Marsha shrugged. “It’s my own fault. I knew better, but I did it anyway.”
    Cat knew there was more. Suddenly it dawned.
    â€œHe’s married, isn’t he?”
    Marsha hesitated, then dropped her head without answering.
    It was answer enough for Cat, although Marsha stayed silent.
    Cat stared at her for a few moments, waiting for details. When they weren’t forthcoming, she began to think back over the past few weeks to the times when Marsha couldn’t meet her for dinner because she had to work late. As she did, suspicion grew.
    â€œIs it your boss?”
    Marsha didn’t answer, but she didn’t have to. Cat could see the truth in her eyes.
    â€œIt is, isn’t it? It’s that damned snake Mark Presley.”
    Marsha covered her face with her hands.
    Cat stifled another curse and lowered her voice even more.
    â€œMimi…I’m sorry. Talk to me, honey.”
    Marsha dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, trying not to smear her makeup as she considered what to say, even though she knew she could never keep secrets from Cat.
    â€œOh, Cat, just let it—”
    â€œNo. I’m not letting it go. Talk. Now.”
    Marsha leaned back, took a sip of her iced tea, then shoved it aside. “He fed me a big line that I fell for. There’s nothing else I can say.”
    â€œDid the line have anything to do with, ‘I’m getting a divorce and I love you madly’?”
    Marsha’s expression crumpled.
    â€œPretty much.”
    Cat slumped. She couldn’t believe Marsha had fallen for that. Then it occurred to her that there was a reason why Marsha would even give that line consideration.
    â€œOh, Mimi…you were already in love with him, weren’t you?”
    Marsha’s chin trembled. “Yes.”
    â€œThe pig. So he got in your pants. How’s he treating you now?”
    â€œLike I’ve stolen the company secrets and he’s looking for a reason to fire me.”
    Cat’s eyes narrowed angrily. “He can’t do that.”
    â€œWell, yes, he can,” Marsha countered. “He owns the company, so he can do whatever he pleases.”
    Cat’s instincts to protect were on point.
    â€œLet me talk to him,” she said. “I’ll make sure he sees the light.”
    Marsha’s eyes widened in panic. “No. No. No way are you getting in the middle of this. He didn’t hold a knife to my throat. I slept with him, and it’s too late to change what—”
    Suddenly Marsha stopped talking, and the look on her face was no longer just sad. She looked scared.
    Cat’s frown deepened. “There’s more to this mess than you’ve told me, isn’t there?”
    Marsha