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The awkward silence seems to last much longer than the two seconds it actually does before Amber butts in, being her usual charming self.
“Mrs. Anderson, I’m Amber. I’m one of Rachel’s friends.” She offers her hand, and Gwen takes it, shaking it gently.
“You girls call me Gwen. Please. I’m going to be taking my maiden name back anyway.”
“Oh?” Amber’s not one to be speechless, but even she’s caught off guard.
“And that asshole thinks he’s taking my money, but our prenup is ironclad.” A slow grin spreads across her face.
“I have to say, I’ve never seen this side of you before, Gwen.” I scoot over, offering her a seat beside me.
She slides in, setting her drink down on the table. “That’s because we were always at some event or the other and missed everything Jack had going on, including getting to know the love of his life.”
“Ah, well. I don’t think that’s—”
She interrupts me with a no-nonsense tone. “Don’t be ridiculous. You were his first love, and he hasn’t loved anyone since. Not in the same way.” She sips her drink. “Now, where is the best place to get a pedicure? You girls are coming with me. My treat.”
“I know the perfect place. And they have wine,” Amber pipes up, her speechless state apparently over.
Gwen grabs my arm, and we’re off, and while I didn’t get to know her back then, I’m thinking I’d like this new version of her better anyhow.
EIGHT
It’s after nine and my mother isn’t home yet. I’ve called her cell phone. I’ve harassed Olivia and she has no idea where she went, though supposedly she left to get coffee hours ago. She’s been so down and upset lately. I hate to think she’s somewhere sad and alone without anyone.
I check the time on my phone again and do a double take at the screen. My notifications came through, and my mom has posted a bunch of selfies… with Rachel. I swipe through them, flabbergasted. Image after image shows them getting pedicures and then having dinner, with Chester in the background. Another woman is in the pictures too, and I recognize her from some of Rachel’s posts. My goodness. How in the world did my mother end up out on the town with my ex-girlfriend?
I’m about to call Rachel when lights appear in the driveway. I set my phone down on the table in our foyer and throw the front door open. Rachel climbs out of the back seat before turning to help my mom crawl out. I reach them in three strides, then tap on the passenger window. The Uber driver rolls the window down, and bless her heart, she looks exhausted. There’s no telling what these two have been up to.
“I’ll get her home.” I nod toward Rachel.
The driver’s immense look of relief followed by Rachel’s sputtering giggles tells me all I need to know about their ride home.
“You don’t have to do that,” Rachel manages, leaning on my mom, who is leaning on the car.
“Oh, I’m doing us all a favor. That nice young lady needs a break from you guys, and you don’t seem like you’d make it into the house, Rachel.” I shake my head at the two of them.
“Let’s get you two inside.” I pull out my wallet and hand the driver some money.
She protests. “They already—”
“I insist. Thank you for getting them here safely.”
I tuck my wallet back into my pants before surveying the two women, now half-asleep as they hang on to each other and the car.
“Okay, I want one of you on each side. You hold on to me, and I’ll get you into the house.”
They haphazardly manage to get situated, Rachel on my left and mom on my right. When we manage to make it to the front door, the Uber driver peels out of the driveway like someone onThe Fast and the Furious.
“So,” I start, “while I’m extremely entertained by this situation, how in the world did you two end up hanging out tonight?”
“And Bambi,” Mom pipes up.
“The deer?” I joke, although I have no clue what she’s talking about.
“No, goober. Bambi is Rachel’s friend. And she’s my new best friend. She’s planning a divorce party for me.”
“A divorce party. Oh.” I nod, moving Mom to lead the way into the house.
