Page 101 of Advances and Retreats

I raised my glass to her, hoping she was done. I’d done my job, the job I did every day. Sure, I was excellent at it, and I’d gotten Savannah a good settlement that would grant her security for many years. But I didn’t need?—

She handed her drink to Tessa and wrestled with the black sash with gold lettering that draped across her chest. “Justine, I want you to have this.” She pulled it over her head and staggered toward me. Arms reached out to steady her until she stood in front of me. Solemnly, like she was giving me the Nobel Prize, she handed me the sash. It read,In My Single Era.“Thank you for everything you did to secure my freedom.”

I took it and folded it in half, then in half again. “You’re welcome.”

“No, put it on,” she said. “I’m not ready to find a new man, but you should.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t.” I set the shiny polyester thing on the sticky table.

“You can,” she insisted. “It’s one-size-fits-all.”

“No, I can’t,” I repeated, and it was like someone had turned down both the music and the conversation in the bar. Although I spoke at a normal volume, my voice seemed to ring out across the room. “I’m married.”