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“Right,” Wendy agreed, giving a firm nod to her phone. She was acting a part, playing a role. She could do this. After thanking Birgit, she hung up, drove toward the next valet, and as she got out of the car, she smiled, pretending that valet parking was something she was used to.
Inside, she had to force her eyes not to bulge out as she took in the luxury of the outlets. Everything was brightly lit and cleansed with the sterility of an operating room. Massive, elegant chandeliers hung in the large, two-story building from vaulted floors, illuminating a beautiful statue garden on the main floor. Then, sitting on either side of each store’s doorway, were large, artistically trimmed trees sitting in massive pots. It was simple, elegant, and modern.
Remember,Wendy told herself, taking a steadying breath,you’re allowed to be here.
Lifting her head high, she began to walk. She stopped in at the little artisanal cafe and bakery on the second floor, ordered the most expensive latte and chocolate croissant she’d ever had in her life and sat at one of the small tables just outside of it. As she nibbled at her breakfast, she took a better look around her. There were some women already out that she recognized. Gloria Steinholt, Chief of Surgery at Leavenworth Medical, came out of Cartier’s as she was eating. Lisa Burgen, a girl she’d gone to high school with, was walking into Prada. A man she’d seen at a local medical conference that she couldn’t recall the name of came down the escalator she’d taken to get to the first floor. But no Anita.
Knowing she’d stalled long enough and that shopping would be necessary, Wendy finished her breakfast, and ventured into the nearest store: Neiman Marcus.
ChapterSix
“Wendy! Oh, my goodness, hi!”
Wendy was holding up a pair of stupidly expensive heels in Louis Vuitton when she heard Anita’s familiar voice call out to her. A surge of excitement shot up through her spine, and she turned around with a bright smile.
“Anita,” she replied, “so good to see you! And not in the middle of the night.”
Anita laughed haughtily as she came over, and waved her hand in the air.
“Oh, sorry about that,” she apologized, her smile a perfect capsulation of both happiness and regret. “I was on my way home when I saw you driving by. I know I probably seemed a little crazy, following you like I did.”
“It’s okay,” Wendy assured her. “It was a little strange at first, admittedly, but I understand now. Birgit is…not the person I thought she would be.”
For a moment Anita seemed to struggle with the glee she was feeling at Wendy’s response, but she soon worked her mouth into a convincing pout, and nodded.
“Yes, unfortunately, you’re right,” Anita agreed, her voice full of pity. “Poor thing. Took on more than she could handle. I heard it’s quite a mess over at their place. You were there, right? Helping with that little impromptu setup.”
“Yes,” Wendy agreed, burying her annoyance at the way Anita was speaking about Birgit. “I was.”
“Oh, was it awful?” Anita asked in the same pitying tone.
“You have no idea.” Wendy laughed, rolling her eyes. “I felt sorry for her, so I was just trying to help. They still lost the contest, though.”
That part was at least true, but Birgit hadn’t expected to win. She just wanted to remain in the running for the overall participation. None of them were surprised when one of Anita and Frank’s hotels won.
“Well, that’s not your fault,” Anita patronized. “But I’m glad you came to your senses and got out of there. You deserve better company.”
“I agree,” Wendy replied, feeling like the plan was going well. “That’s why I decided to take myself shopping for a new wardrobe. Now that I’m retired and don’t have to worry about money anymore, I thought I’d find some better friends to spend my time with.”
Anita’s eyes lit up as her smile turned vicious, and she came even closer to Wendy.
“Oh, that soundsfantastic,” she oozed, lacing her arm through Wendy’s.
“You maybe wouldn’t want to help me, would you?” Wendy asked, delicately setting out the bait. “I’m not quite used to this level of…finery.I could really use help navigating what to buy and what not to buy.”
“I’d be delighted,” Anita practically squealed. She raised her arm in the air and snapped her fingers. In seconds, three sales associates showed up, and Anita began giving them instructions.
“So tell me,” she encouraged once she set the clerks loose to go find what she asked for, “what’s going on over there? Is it true Birgit is selling the hotel?”
Wendy was doing well up until that point, but the question startled her so much that she almost broke out of her character. She quickly recovered, though, and came up with an excuse.
“Oh, who knows what’s happening over there?” she replied. “Everything just seems to be in utter chaos. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was.”
Anita looked around, as if ensuring there was no one around to overhear them, and then leaned in toward Wendy.
“I’ve heard some things, you know,” she whispered. “And you know me, I’m not one to gossip.” She paused, giving Wendy a look.
“Of course, you’re not,” Wendy agreed, “but what have you heard?”
