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Diane would not attend for obvious reasons. Dacia was stuck working on a case. Cade and Ella were in Bali for their honeymoon. And all my other friends were either busy or running late.
I was caught off-guard when a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind in a tight hug, relaxing only when the familiar scent hit me. I instantly felt less alone in this crowded room. Spinning around, I came face to face with one of my best friends.
Hera was stunning in a mermaid style amethyst gown that wrapped around her curves like a dream. With bronze makeup and her dark hair parted sideways with waves, she looked like an actress from the golden age.
“Hera!” I smiled, squeezing her hand affectionately. “I was worried you weren’t coming.”
“I’m sorry for being late.” She sighed and fixed the strap of her wristwatch. “Things at home got a little bit chaotic.”
I stopped focusing on her words when my gaze zeroed in on her left hand.
No wedding ring.
“Where’s Idris?” I drawled, surprised. Hera kept on talking, so I grabbed her wrist and repeated my question a little louder. “Where. Is. Idris?”
Her expression pinched like she sucked a wedge of lemon. “We’re separated, Darla.”
I blinked.
Then I veered her to the side of the ballroom, where no one could hear our conversation. “What do you mean you’re separated?” I hissed. “What happened?”
Idris and Hera got married half a decade ago. They met during university and were the kind of couple you’d find on Hallmark cards and jewelry ads.
Hera bit the inside of her cheek. “I moved out four weeks ago. I didn’t want to tell you or Ella because you were both busy with wedding planning.”
Oh, my God.
I tried to shake some sense into her. “Hera, no matter how busy we are, you need to tell us these things. I knew you guys were having troubles, but I never thought—”
“We fell out of love, Dar,” Hera whispered sadly. “And I think I stopped being enough for him.”
I struggled with my bout of anger. Stopped being enough? If I found out he cheated on her… “You need to elaborate, Hera.”
“This is not the time or place to have this conversation. Just know that I’m okay. I’m living with my parents temporarily until I find my footing again.”
I crushed her in another hug, wishing I could give more words, more comfort, more solutions. If I still lived in my childhood home, I would have offered Hera a spare bedroom. For all my mother’s flaws, she held a soft spot for Ella and Hera. “I’m so sorry, honey.”
She rubbed my back. “It’s life, Darla. Don’t worry.”
“We’re going to have a girls’ night soon and talk about this.” I was not putting this conversation to bed. “In the meantime, if you need anything, you call us right away.”
She gave me a faint grin. “I will. Thank you.”
I downed the remainder of my champagne and put the empty flute on a passing waiter’s tray. “Did you come here alone?”
Hera’s back stiffened ramrod straight. “Um, Shaun gave me a ride.”
Of course Shaun gave her a ride.
Shaun had beendyingto give her a ride since we were in high school.
Hera was still married for all intents and purposes and while I loved her to pieces, I didn’t want her to hurt Shaun unknowingly during the process of her messy divorce.
On the other hand, Shaun was a glutton for punishment when it came to Hera. No one was fooled by his playboy persona. He could parade a thousand women in the city, yet it was only because he longed for the one he could not have. He spent so many years staying away when he lost his chance with Hera, that he’d do anything now to be in her orbit.
Anything for a single crumb of her attention.
I scoured the crowd for the ex-hockey-player. Shaun wasn’t hard to miss, a six feet tall giant charming a group of young women.
