With a hint of animosity still lurking in her brain, Joanna was seeking out a safe subject, a path she could travel without fear of being detoured by what had caused their rift. Suddenly grateful for Addison’s question, Joanna looked up. “What about you? How was your week?”

Thrilled that the conversation hadn’t died off, Addison beamed. “It was busy,” she said, reaching for her glass. “I had meetings in Spain and France, and ended up in Germany yesterday. I think I walked off the plane last night in a trance.”

Joanna had believed her question was a safe one, and she also believed her struggle to defeat a monster, green and begrudging, would be simple. She was wrong on both counts. In an instant, she discovered putting her mind over matter only works when the matter didn’t involve another woman.

“Last...night?” she said, raising her chin just a tad.

Thrilled Joanna was actually talking to her Addison had missed the irritation in her voice. “Yes. The meeting in Frankfurt ran long, but I didn’t want to stay there another night. Since it was so late when we landed, I just stayed at the hotel.”

“You know, you should just do that more often,” Joanna said, tossing her napkin aside as she got to her feet.

“What?”

“Stay at the hotel. It’s not like there’s any reason for you to be here. We all get along very nicely when you’re not around. Trust me.”

“This is my home,” Addison said, her brow furrowing as she watched Joanna head for the door. “And where did that come from? We were just talking—”

“I don’t want to talk!” Joanna yelled, spinning around. “I thought I did, but I was wrong. Just one more mistake in a long line of mistakes, but I’m stopping that now.”

“What in the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about bowing to you and your grandiose attitude. Do you know how many times I’ve second-guessed myself since I moved in? Wondering how you’re going to react to something as simple as me weeding a garden or buying some books or...or getting a dog. Well, from here on out, I’m not putting you in the equation on any decision I make. As far as I’m concerned, you’re just a visitor in this house. I’m the one who lives here day in and day out, so if I decide to make some changes, that’s exactly what I’m going to do, and your permission is no longer required.”

“Changes? What changes?” Addison said, standing up.

“I just told you,” Joanna with a smirk. “Since your decisions don’t concern me, mine most assuredly don’t concern you. Good night, Addison. Have a nice life.”

Chapter Thirty

“You can’t be serious.”

“Are you saying it can’t be done?”