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I’m so mad I can barely speak. “Weare fine. You don’t get to claim it isn’t working. No, that’s not how it’s done. You just need to pay attention to our relationship again. Come back to me. Stay away from Kate.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” John is such a bad liar.
I don’t say another word. I turn and walk toward the condo. In my mind, the image of our perfect family, our perfect life, crumbles into dust. He seemed like just what I’d been looking for, and for a while he was. Now, he’s a disgrace—weak and disloyal.
I stomp into the lobby of the condominium complex, aware I’m still shaking. I take a deep breath and calm myself. I can handle anything. That’s why I’ve survived on my own for so long. I thought John was different, I thought I could count on him. I learned growing up that you have to keep your options open. It’s time to pivot from love to revenge.
The elevator doors open, and I step inside, stabbing the button for the penthouse. John arrives at the elevator just as the doors shut, him on the other side. I give him a quick shrug but don’t make a move to reopen the doors. I guess he’ll just have to wait in the lobby for a bit. It will give him time to think about what he’s done.
It’s too bad he’s turned into a liar. It really is a shame. The truth can set you free, I’ve heard. So what does lying do for you?
CHAPTER 10
JOHN
When the doors of the elevator closed, I almost left. I could have called the pilots and flown home. I did call Ashlyn and cheered myself up with the sound of her voice. I almost walked out, but I didn’t. I promised Tish one night here, and I would keep my word.
By the time I walked into the condo, it was like nothing had happened between us. As if we’d never fought. Tish made a big pitcher of margaritas, and we’re sitting out on the deck watching the sun drop behind the mountain. The air is turning crisp, and in a few minutes, I’ll need a jacket. I soak up the beauty of the purple sky and take a sip of my drink. All I need to do is get through tonight and get back home. All the way home.
I inhale a deep breath. In my opinion, this is the best time of day during the summers up here. The light, the warm breeze that turns a little bit chilly once the dying glow of the sun disappears. It’s gorgeous. I remind myself to take another breath. Since our little chat, I’ve been on edge, waiting for an explosion of sorts from Tish. But nothing bad has happened yet. She’s been fine, calm and friendly even. Maybe she realizes it, too. The spark is gone. She’ll be happier without me.
I sip my cocktail, enjoying the salt rim although I know I shouldn’t be. I think the drink is a margarita, but from the stiff taste of it, she’sadded extra alcohol. It’s a tangy, somewhat bitter version of a margarita. I love margaritas, so I’m not complaining.
I hold my glass up to her as she walks outside carrying a tray with guacamole, chips, and salsa. This is when I fell in love with her, why I fell in love with her. She’s unexpected. Spontaneous. Unlike anyone I’d ever known. Kate and I had gotten into a rut, a pattern where neither of us had the energy to do anything but work and try to manage Ashlyn. We were just barely keeping it together. There was no fun, no laughter. Every day was heavy. Tish was light.
“Cheers! This is good.” I lie and take another big sip.
“I wondered if it was too bitter. Glad you like it. I added a little something special.” Tish sits down across from me. I notice she’s drinking wine.
“Can I pour you one?” I lean forward, reaching for the pitcher.
“Oh, no thanks, I overindulged at lunch. Gave me a bit of a headache, so I’m sticking with rosé. A little hair of the pink dog.” She lifts her glass. “Cheers, though! I’m sorry for starting a fight. It’s such a beautiful evening. Seems your altitude sickness has subsided?”
I shrug. “I suppose it has, or the drink is masking it.” I dip a chip into the guacamole and enjoy the salty, lemony taste. “This is just about perfection.”
Tish wears a fitted white sweatshirt with a lacy bottom. She has on jeans and the summer boots she bought at the boutique in town. Her hair is shiny and tucked behind her ears. Aside from the large diamond studs sparkling in each ear—last year’s Christmas gift, among other things—and the oversize wedding ring, she could still be the same young woman who appeared at EventCo five years ago, fresh off the turnip truck from somewhere in eastern Kentucky. Or was it Cincinnati?
My mind has a pleasant haze gathering around it.
Despite what Kate thinks now, I didn’t hire Tish. Sandra from HR did. Actually, truth be told, the only folks I care to really intervieware executive level, like Jennifer or Lance. Kate and I used to do those interviews together, making sure we both agreed before extending an offer. Thinking back on it, that sounds so simple, so functional.
Ah hell, we were good. We just needed counseling, or mediation, or meditation, or maybe a vacation alone.
We just needed to try a little harder.
I needed to try a little harder.
I should have tried harder.
I pull out my phone. Tish is somewhere inside, so the coast is clear. I take a photo of my margarita glass and quickly text it with a “cheers” message from under the table. All’s well, my cheers is implying. Even though it’s not, and she knows it.
My phone lights up:Looks delicious. Enjoy.
I text:It tastes horrible. I’m just trying to get drunk. It’s working.
She texts:Ha! Xo
My heart swells. It’s nice to have someone who cares about you. I hurry and delete this text chain so Tish won’t see it when she snoops. She’s always spying on me. I slip my phone under my thigh. This margarita is going to my head. I swipe the moisture away from under my eyes, quickly, before Tish sees it. I grab a chip and dunk it into the salsa. I almost miss my mouth before gobbling it down.
