“He said nothing happened,” I wail as I do as she says and slump onto the sofa. “He wouldn’t, would he?”
“I’m on my way right now. Don’t do anything until I’m there.”
Katrina hangs up, and I can’t help but notice that’s the second time someone has hung up on me. At least I know my best friend is coming here to see me, not shacking up with some bitch from high school.
Pain rips through my heart, and it hurts to breathe. My head swims, and my body feels like it’s floating.
Am I having a panic attack? Is that what this is?
But I manage to calm my breathing and the racing of my heart, steadying myself by listing five things I can see, five things I can touch, and noting any smell.
Indian food. It’s in the trash; so that’s why. I should empty it.
Twenty minutes later, I’m still staring at the trashcan, and Katrina is rapping on my door.
My legs feel like lead; my stomach is empty despite the coffee. I want to be sick, but I also want to run away.
I don’t like this reality. I don’t want it.
I open the door, and Katrina strides in, wrapping me in her arms.She smells of Chanel No. 5, I notice, which is her power scent. She wears it when she’s got big meetings to give her confidence. Does she need confidence today?
I stare at her when she holds me at arm’s length, her eyes narrowed.
“Did he fuck her?”
I wince. “I hope not.”
Katrina frowns. “What do you mean? What do youthinkhappened, Jade? He spent the night in herhotel room!”
I lift my shoulders, and then they droop back down, my pathetic attempt at a shrug. “He said nothing happened.”
Katrina scoffs, then her expression softens. “Tell me everything.”
So, I do. The worry of thinking he was missing, to the relief of seeing him alive and well. Then the heartache at seeing her behind him in a silky robe, her things strewn around the hotel bathroom.
“He went into her room? He does realize he’s a married man, right?” Katrina paces, shaking her head. “He didn’t have to do that.”
“No,” I reply glumly. “He didn’t.”
“Then hefell asleepin her room? Why did he even go into her room in the first place, Jade? If he was simplywalking her back,why did he go in?” Katrina stops, looking at me over her shoulder. “You need to think, Jade; there’s no time for tears now.”
I sniff.
Katrina twists her body and crouches before me, her eyes searching mine. “I don’t want you to be taken for an idiot when you’re one of the best people I know.”
I try to smile, but everything feelswrong.
“So, do you believe him?” Katrina tilts her head, a worried expression on her face. “That nothing happened?”
I give a lazy shrug again. “I don’t know. He loves me…”
“But?” Katrina presses gently.
“He hung up on me, then he went off the radar after texting me to tell me he was with Grant.”
“The speaker guy?”
“Yeah.”
