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“We were really horrible to each other in law school. Well, I was worse, I guess. I knew I was embarrassing her and getting under her skin, but I couldn’t help it. And now that I think there’s more between us than a rivalry, it’s too late to atone for being a bit of a dick.”
Dr. Lerner laughed. “You’ve always been good at seeing yourself.”
“Also, some of that may have spilled into our first days working together.” Sloane winced. “I’ve always known that she likes me, and I may have messed with her head about it before kissing her for real.”
If Dr. Lerner was as disappointed in her behavior as Sloane was, she didn’t let it show. “What feelings do you have for her now? Where do you stand?”
“I don’t know,” Sloane admitted, holding her pillow tighter against her chest. “I really do like her. A lot actually.
It’s like all the things that used to drive me crazy about her are things I can’t get enough of now. She’s so annoyingly driven, but she used that to save a woman from an abusive ex. She wouldn’t let it go until she found proof. And she’s
funny too, not just smart.” Sloane stopped when she caught herself smiling.
“And have you told her all of this?”
Sloane bristled at the perfectly reasonable suggestion hidden in the form of a question. “No. How can I? She’s not going to believe me. And even if she sees that I’m being for real, how can we really do this after attacking each other for so long?”
“It seems to me your afraid of the unknown when presented with the possibility of a new relationship. It’s no di erent than having a romantic interest in anyone. We never know if people return our feelings, and we’re certainly not guaranteed a perfect, endless love. What do you think you have to lose by talking to her about it?”
“Other than my dignity and hard-earned reputation as an unforgiving bitch?”
Dr. Lerner chuckled. “Apart from that, yes.”
“A broken heart. The loss of power. The discomfort of being confronted with evidence of my imperfection,” Sloane rattled o the first things that came to mind. “I’m sure there’s more.”
“I’m sure there is,” Dr. Lerner agreed. “The real question is taking into account a laundry list of risk, is it worth the reward? Even if perhaps the past is insurmountable, is making amends and owning your behavior worth it? Maybe she’d like the chance to own hers as well.”
Sloane took a deep breath. “Are you telling me to run through an airport and risk getting arrested to stop my girl from getting on the plane?”
“Is that the obstacle you need to overcome?”
“Close. A themed Halloween party with all the people I tried to forget when my life didn’t pan out the way I planned.”
Dr. Lerner smiled. “Sounds like airport security is a lot less scary.”
“It is.”
CHAPTER 33
DRESSED in her best impression of Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Ti any’s, Ari wished she’d had time to come up with something better. She pushed o coming up with something clever so long, that when it was time for the party, she was left with whatever she had in her closet. A little black dress, dark sunglasses and black pumps. Her mom had come through with a pair of long black gloves she borrowed from a friend along with a huge statement neckless and matching broach to stick in her updo.
All in all, she didn’t look bad, but she was
bummed that Jasmine had to cancel her trip last minute. She was the reason Ari had agreed to go in the first place, and she would’ve bailed if Jasmine hadn’t made her promise to go and collect in-person gossip on how their former classmates were doing.
Even if she hadn’t promised, she might have gone anyway. Things at the o ce had been strange and tense with Sloane. They were always on the verge of saying something, but never found the words. Or the nerve. The tension was exhausting, and Ari was just grateful to have somewhere to
go and experience a little levity. The prospect of meeting someone that might distract her incessant thoughts of Sloane was a nice motivator too.
When the rideshare dropped her o at the huge Mediterranean style house and the massive white tent in front of it, Ari had half a mind to go back home. People were everywhere and that was just one tent. Another peered out from behind the house, and there were people congregated inside the house too. Jasmine wasn’t kidding; it was really a whole a air. Her chances of running into her friends among all those people was miniscule.
As soon as she took a tentative step out of the car, her fears of awkward isolation were destroyed.
“Ari!” a woman in a Betty Rubble costume shouted as she raced toward her while waving. The black wig threw her o , but after a second she recognized her friend.
“Jasmine! What the hell are you doing here?” Ari shouted as she slammed the car door and raced up the walkway toward her.
“Surprising you, obvi!” she joked, pulling her into such a strong hug, she nearly lifted her o the ground.
