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“For now, yes. Just until they get enough signatures and threats to leave the place if they don’t get their way,” Lara said. A triumphant smile formed on her pretty face.
“You know that won’t happen. Retirement communities have wait lists, and—
“I’m saying it’s a threat. Enough to give The Man a headache and perhaps a PR headache. Meanwhile, it buys you time to seek out a new location. Closer.”
Nikki swallowed, feeling the pulse at the base of her throat. Was it excitement or fear? “Hhhmm… Last time I let you girls talk me into something, I made out with the same man who I’m trying to bring down. How is this a good idea?”
Brit chewed her lower lip. “It’s worth a try.”
She grabbed the bottle of wine and poured a copious amount of rosé into her glass. “What about your resolution to live it up after Noelle’s death, Lara? Since you’re our official instigator?”
Lara threw her hands in the air. “Trust me, I’ll think of something. Or you guys will soon enough.”
Brit stood. “I’ll check on the kids to make sure the sitter won’t hate us by the time we leave.”
Lara looped her arm into her friend’s, walking alongside her. “Good call. I’ll come with ya.”
Nikki threw her head on the buttery leather sofa, sighing so hard the tips of her side bangs moved. “Those girls are crazy. What are you doing, Vi? You’ve been quiet lately. Any big resolutions on your end?”
Violet’s expression darkened, her blue eyes shifting to a complex cobalt. Unlike the other three, Violet usually sat primly on the sofa, with legs crossed, no underwear showing and, well, she just had a regal aura about her. But now, a mask of sadness settled on her face, worrying Nikki.
Nikki shifted in the sofa. “What is it?”
Violet thinned her lips, glancing around the big home theater room before her gaze returned to Nikki. Tears brimmed in her eyelids.
The little hairs at the back of Nikki’s neck stood on end. What could be wrong? Violet had her shit together more than anyone she knew. “Tell me.”
“I’m not ready to tell the girls yet. I’m not ready to tell anyone.”
Nikki reached to her hand, squeezed it in hers. Her friend’s skin felt clammy and cold. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“I’m getting divorced.”
Divorced.
Nikki’s breath caught in her throat. She always assumed Violet and Damian’s marriage was perfect, or at least, pretty close to it. A dedicated father and super hot husband, he never had a wandering eye and always remembered special dates most guys forgot. “What did he do?”
Violet waved her off. “I’ve been battling depression for a while.”
“Yes.” Nikki knew. Her friend told her about the postpartum depression that assailed her after having her youngest. “You’re getting treatment, right?”
Violet bent down to grab a tissue box from the coffee table and retrieved a tissue from it. She dabbed it at the corner of her eyes. “Yes. But the therapy also made me see things I didn’t want to see about myself and that bleeds into my marriage.”
A dark sensation of nostalgia squeezed Nikki’s chest. Before Luke came out to her, they saw a couples counselor for a few sessions. Each time she left the office, she’d always thought she was the one at fault. Hell, even after he’d told her he preferred men, she’d blamed herself for a while for not being able to keep her marriage intact. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry to hear. Where have I been?”
Violet took a deep breath. “I haven’t been ready to talk to anyone. I’m still not.”
Fair enough. “Are you firm about your decision?”
“Yes.”
“What about Damian?”
“I haven’t talked to him yet, but I’m sure he knows I’m unhappy.”
“If you need anything, I’m here for you. You know that, right?”
A shadow of a smile formed on Violet’s face. “Yes. I do.”
