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Beth glared at me, a stone-cold look in her eye. She was still angry with me about Kate and the other thing.
“Well,” she laughed. “That’s a great question, Josie. I’m so glad you asked. If you don’t sign, then it just goes to show you don’t believe in New Hope or our mission.”
I nodded, and I didn’t respond. I wanted to believe.
“Josie,” Beth calls again. “Hellllloooo.” She cranes her neck. “Where are you?”
“Sorry,” I shrug, her surgically enhanced nose coming into focus. “I hardly slept last night.” I realize immediately this was the wrong thing to say. It’s an offhand remark, an easy excuse for drifting off, for not listening to the conversation. But the little things are the things one has to be careful of. Sleep is written into the agreement. It’s not wise to openly admit you’re not in accordance with the agreement.
“Darling, that dress—” She leans forward to take me in, expertly changing the subject. I would like to think my comment has flown over her head—that it was lost in the moment—but I know Beth, and I know that is not the case. “It’s stunning.”
“Yes,” Mel says. “It’s perfection.”
I glance down, smooth it out, and I smile. I search the crowd that’s gathered in the dining area. I’m looking for my husband. It takes me a few seconds, but I spot him standing by the bar. I can’t see who he’s talking to, I can only just make out the back of his head. I’d know it anywhere. Another server walks by, this time with a tray of wine, and I take a glass. “Thank you,” I say, meeting Mel’s eye. I motion toward the dress. “Grant b
rought it back from Argentina.”
I study her expression; she’s young, but I can see that she’s smart. “Where are you from?”
“Boise.”
I tilt my head, jut out my lip and feign surprise. “Boise.”
“Yes,” she laughs. “That’s where I met Tom, actually. He was there on business and walked right into me on the street.” She extends her brow. “What are the odds of that?”
Pretty good, knowing Tom, I want to say. I bite my tongue.
“Anyway,” she adds. “He invited me to coffee, and the rest, well, the rest is history.”
“I bet it is.” I don’t mean to say it, I am so busy holding other things in that the words just roll on out.
“Josie!” Beth chides
“What?” I ask, brushing her off. I glance around the room, and then take a giant gulp of my wine. I look over at Beth, and I half-laugh, setting up what I’m about to say. “Everyone appreciates a good love story. I was just saying I want more— that’s all.”
“As her sponsor, I’m sure you’ll get it,” Beth assures me. Patience is a virtue.
“What exactly does a sponsor do?” Mel asks, scanning the crowd. I think she too is trying to cut and run, anxious to get out from underneath Beth’s intensity. Run, I want to tell her. You aren’t wrong. She is a mood killer.
Beth waits for me to answer, but when I don’t, she takes the lead. I’m happy to give her the floor. Saves me the opportunity of saying the wrong thing. “A sponsor ensures you’re acclimating to the church appropriately. They see to it that you’re well cared for, and equally as important, they see to it that you understand the rules.”
“Tom mentioned the rules,” Mel replies, biting her lip. She leans in close and drops her voice. Also, her guard. “There seem to be a lot of them.”
“Oh,” Beth says. “No need to worry.” She waves her off, with the flip of a wrist, like it’s nothing. “You’ll catch on soon enough.”
I down the last of the wine, and then press my lips together. When I can manage, when the magic elixir settles in and soothes my worry, I force a smile, and I think to myself, little does she know soon enough might be too late.
Chapter Ten
Izzy
“Oh good, you’re home,” Tyler says once he’s come barreling in the door. I guess I shouldn’t have left it unlocked. But then, I like living on the edge.
“You,” I murmur without glancing up from my laptop. He leans against the bar. I feel his eyes on me.
“I brought you a little something.”
I don’t look up. I don’t have to. I know why he’s here, and what his next move will be. Also, I’m engrossed in what I’m doing. “Is that so?”
