She looked like a deer in the headlights. “No. I mean, yes. Mr. Hadley is in a meeting.”
Disappointed, the corners of her mouth drooped downward. “Do you think he’ll be long?”
“I’m not sure, Mrs. Hadley.”
Imani thought it odd that Lucinda seemed a bit nervous. She smiled. “You know what? I’ll just take a seat and wait awhile.”
Lucinda’s eyes darted from her boss’ door back to Imani. “Sure. I’ll send him a note that you’re here.”
Great. Imani figured she’d catch up on her e-mails and make a few calls. Ten minutes later, the door opened, and Shannon McNeal Hadley walked through it. “I’ll ensure that you have everything you need by noon tomorrow.”
Imani didn’t know they were still in touch. She had recognized Shannon immediately from her pictures on social media.
Garrett nodded to Shannon at the same moment he noticed Imani.
Slowly Imani stood and smoothed down her pencil skirt. There was no reason to feel the rush of anger that knotted up in her chest, but she had. Imani took a deep breath and did her best to play it cool. “Garrett, I thought I’d drop by on my way home.” Almost imperceptibly, her head turned away from him toward Shannon. “I don’t believe we 've formally met. I’m Imani Hadley.” Imani made sure to shake her hand with the one that housed her wedding ring.
Shannon paused then shook her hand using the tips of her fingers. “I guess congratulations are in order for your marriage to my Garry.”
No, this bitch didn’t!—was her immediate thought. Was she really trying to be petty? Shannon must have lost her mind and didn’t know that Imani would drag her around the entire office. She had the nerve to be standing in front of her playing games.
The territorial part of Imani took over. “I’m sorry, I don’t think Garrett, Garry, or any other pet name you’ve called him belongs to you anymore.” Imani snapped her finger. “Did it ever? Or, were you considered a bigamist?” Imani seemed to ponder the question. “I’m not quite sure what the laws are in Illinois on that.”
Garrett stepped in the middle of Imani and Shannon. That introduction had gone from zero to one hundred in no seconds flat.
Shannon wrinkled her nose. “Garry, I knew you needed a wife on short notice but was this the best you could find?”
Imani’s nostril’s flared. “Are you serious? You should be thanking me for taking care of your son like he’s my own. What kind of ratchet, piss-poor excuse for a woman would ever do the things you’ve done!”
Garrett yelled. “Shannon! Leave. Now! Imani . . . get in my office!”
Imani was pissed. She didn’t move until Shannon left in a huff to the elevator. She pushed past Garrett and walked into his office. Before he could follow behind and close the door, Imani shouted at him. “What was she doing here? And, how could you not take my side?”
Garrett had to get his own temper under control. “The tabloids have done enough with this messy situation. You didn’t need to give them more to gossip about. There are probably people on the phone with TMZ right now ready to sell their camera phone footage of that ridiculous display.”
“I don’t give a damn about tabloids and gossip. What I care about is why Shannon was here?”
“Well, you need to give a damn. I’m Garrett Hadley, CEO and President of GHI. I won’t have you losing your cool especially so close to the custody hearing.”
Thinking about the hearing pulled Imani back from the brink of her rage.
Frustrated, Garrett raked his fingers through his hair. “You didn’t give me a chance to defend you before taking matters into your own hands. There’s no need to feel jealous over Shannon.”
“Is that what you thought? That I was jealous? I wasn’t jealous. I was being disrespected! There is a difference. How would you feel if the tables were turned?”
She had a point. The temperature of anger in the room cooled. “Probably the same as you.” Garrett walked over to Imani and pulled her into his arms. Begrudgingly, she went into them. Her head was tucked underneath his chin, and his lips were close to her temple. “I’m sorry I didn’t handle the situation better.”
Imani let out a breath. Her voice was softer but still had a sting of anger to it. “Why was she here, Garrett?”
“She’s aware that I’ve set things in motion that will likely lead to me winning full custody of my son. Shannon was offering to give me the proof I’ve been seeking for the past few months.”
Imani pulled back. “What plans? You never told me about them? And, how can she be both the spoiler and the savior?”
“She’s not either. But, if she does what she’s promised, my chances in this custody battle go up exponentially. I didn’t tell you because I had it under control.”
Imani didn’t like his answer. When you’re single, you got it alone. When you’re married, it’s supposed to be a partnership. Garrett was having a hard time understanding the two. She’d save that argument for another day. “It’s interesting Shannon was here working a plan with you, and Raymond came to see me today too.”
“What? What the hell did he come see you for?”
“I could easily say it’s handled, but out of respect for our marriage, I’ll share.” Her tone was icy. “He called his lawyer this afternoon to tell him that he was withdrawing his petition as a good will gesture. Your attorney
