The Night She Got Lucky by Susan Donovan Read Free Book Online Page A

adolescence, Larry was a handsome and highly respected doctor with the same unholy hankering for the prettiest girls. And an ego that had swelled to the size of the North American landmass.
    I mean, have you thought about what kind of work you might do? What your hours might be? Larry flashed her one of his toothy grins. The boys are old enough to take care of themselves for the most part, obviously, but we will still need to make sure all the bases are covered.
    Ginger sighed deeply, once again awed by her ex-husband's self-centered stupidity. HeatherLynn took that as her cue and toddled into the living room. Without a glance at Larry, she hopped into Ginger's lap, circled around a few times, then curled up in a ball. Larry frowned when he realized he'd just been dissed by his prized bichon.
    Ginger stroked the dog's poofy white fur, immediately feeling her blood pressure reset to normal. It was as if her little dog knew exactly when she needed backup.
    Ginger looked at her ex-husband and smiled. You know what, Larry?
    What? He perked up.
    You're an ass.
    Larry's hands rose in surrender, a stunned look on his face. Was that really necessary? he asked, his cheeks reddening.
    She sighed. I'm afraid it was, and I'll tell you why. Ginger adjusted HeatherLynn and tucked her feet up under her, getting comfortable. My career crashed and burned at about nine this morning, and it's not quite four in the afternoon, so it would be impossible to know how my new job might impact your social calendar, because I don't yet
have
a new job, you pompous douche bag.
    Larry said nothing.
    Furthermore, our divorce agreement says that I have up to six months to find another job should I lose my current one, and, in the meantime, you have to increase alimony to replace my salary.
    What! Larry stood up as if someone had stuck a pin in his butt cheek. You're crazy.
    No, but as you know, I have an extremely good lawyer, she said, smiling again. Ginger had anticipated this. So she placed HeatherLynn on the sofa cushion and walked to the dining room table, where she'd left a file folder. She returned, opening the file to a copy of the settlement agreement. She'd already circled the pertinent paragraph with a yellow highlighter.
    Fuck. Larry slowly collapsed into the chair, running a hand nervously through his thick hair. Ginger watched him scan the pages, thinking that he was a lucky guy. What with all the other requirements of Larry's midlife crisisthe new sports cars, the too-young wardrobe, the spray tans, the hours in the gymat least he'd never need a hair transplant. I don't know how I'm going to swing this, babe, he said, shaking his head.
    Ginger's toes curled. Why he continued to call her babe was anyone's guess. Ginger guessed it was because he'd forgotten her name. I'm sure you'll manage, she said.
    He peered up from the document. Aren't you getting some kind of severance pay or something?
    Yes, Ginger said. I get a month's salary, which I will put into the college savings plan. If you look on page three, you'll see that your alimony goes up despite any severance.
    Larry tossed the file to the carpet in disgust. You just love busting my balls every chance you get, don't you? He let out a nasty laugh, scanning her face with fake concern. You want to know what I think?
    No, but I'm going to hear it anyway.
    I think you're going to use your severance for that little nip and tuck you've been putting off, which would be a wise move. It's definitely time, babe.
    Ginger's spine stiffened. Larry knew exactly where her buttons were, because the ones she hadn't inherited from her mother were installed by Larry's skilled hands. Throughout their marriage, Larry would imply that if Ginger didn't maintain her beauty she'd only have herself to blame if he strayed. Seventeen years of that crap had done nothing but deepen the crow's-feet around her eyes and the frown lines on her forehead. And the loneliness in her heart. Everyone else in her lifeher friends,