“We’re a little lost.” It’s a terrible excuse but my thoughts are too scattered to think of anything else. My husband and my ex-girlfriend are bookending me while her ex-boyfriend smugly watches.
“Lost,” Richard repeats. If he was a cat, his mouth would be covered in yellow feathers right now. “In one of my conference rooms?”
“We were looking for a bathroom,” I mutter. “And just … chose the wrong door.”
“Next time, ask the receptionist for directions,” Richard says dryly.
The older woman’s lips purse as she examines us. “You aren’t my husband’s spies, are you? Trying to see if we’ll discuss anything without him in the room?”
“Uh, no ma’am, I have no idea who you are or who your husband is,” I reply honestly.
Behind me I hear a soft chuckle. I jab my elbow backwards without even looking and connect with Euan’s side. The chuckle turns into a disgruntled ‘oof.’
“I’m so sorry, Ethel, this is my”—Theresa hesitates and changes course—“Alexander. Though I’m not sure why he’s here. Would you mind if I take a few minutes to speak with him?”
Ethel harrumphs in annoyance but eventually nods. “Thomas won’t be here until twelve o’clock on the dot anyway. Man never met a deadline he didn’t want to edge right until the end.”
I choke on a gasp as I stare at the woman.Does she even realize what she’s said?From her no-nonsense expression, I don’t think she does.
“Thank you, Ethel. Alex, come with me please.” Although she says ‘please’, it’s clearly not a request I can refuse.
“Can you wait for me in the lobby?” I whisper to Euan.
Theresa watches this interaction with slightly pursed lips, looking at Euan like he’s a piece to a puzzle she found under the couch without even a hint of where he belongs.
Euan eyes Theresa like he knowsexactlywhere she belongs and it’s not a very nice place. “Are you sure you don’t want me to join you? In case sheswoopsagain.”
A smile twitches on my lips, both at the term and his concern. “I’ll be fine.”
He nods and steps past the group clogging the doorway.
Theresa places her hand on my arm as she guides me out of the room. Over her shoulder, she calls, “Don’t say a word to him or your husband until I return, Ethel.”
Ethel motions zipping her lips, twisting a key in the lock, and then carefully tucking the key into her pocket. Her lips are pressed so tightly together that I can’t see the seam within the wrinkles.
Theresa grins, pleased with her client’s promise to follow directions. The smile drops as soon as she looks at me again.She leads the way down the hall, her heels clicking against the tile, a short, angry staccato. We pass a few other people in nice suits, and she nods a respectful greeting to all of them, really driving home Richard’s point about how well known she is.
When she finally reaches another unoccupied conference room, she opens the door and waves for me to precede her. She shuts the door and then stands in front of it, preventing any escape. “So, Alex, would you like to explain why you’re visiting Richard’s office?”
“About that.” I rub the back of my neck, stalling for time as I think of how to explain my drunken marriage and pending annulment.
She heaves a sigh. “I know what this is about.”
I cringe. Maybe Richard didn’t have to tell her in front of an audience because he already told her in private.
“Did Richard tell you?” we ask at the same time, then we both stare at each other.
Theresa recovers first. “He did, didn’t he? I can’t say I’m surprised. It’s not as if Iaskedhim to keep it a secret, although you would think he’d understand the desire for confidentiality in our profession.”
Every word she says confuses me more. “Richard didn’t tell me anything.”
“You don’t have to protect him, Alex,” she says, reaching forward and squeezing my arm. “I’m irritated with him but I’m the one who should have been honest with you.”
“You are?”
“It really meant nothing, though. I was upset Saturday night, and he was available—”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
