“We’re divorced, Alexander. We’vebeendivorced.”
His normally serene and smug face contorts for a few seconds while he processes the information, glancing down at my finger again before I pull my hand out of his. His eyes bounce back up to mine, searching my face—for what I don’t know. But he doesn’t say anything and for some reason, it gets under my skin.
“Are you telling me he seriously didn’t mention that he got divorced?”
“He did not.”
“Wow,” I whisper, laughing a little to myself. Our marriage had been over long before we sat down and had thelet’s maybe call it quitsdiscussion, but it seemed a little odd to not mention a life event like that to your best friend. Especially one you see regularly. One who used to come to our family events and had been the best man at our wedding.
A strange smile flits across his face, and it irritates me. Probably joy at our demise. I’m sure he tried to talk Drew into leaving me before. Which makes it doubly strange he doesn’t know.
“You don’t think it’s strange that your best friend wouldn’t tell you that?”
“Not really, no.”
“Well, I’m guessing it didn’t change his behavior any.”
“Not that I noticed. But in retrospect, I can think of a few things that were a little off.”
“Oh well, I’m glad to hear it, I guess.” I roll my eyes.
“Was it his choice?”
I don’t like the close way he’s watching me. Like he’s scrutinizing my reaction. I don’t need him running back to Drew and telling him how crushed I am in the wake of his absence. Because while I miss him a bit, mostly the comfortable bits of having a partner around, I’m more than happy to put our marriage in the past.
“No. I asked for it. He didn’t seem thrilled at first, but then I assume he saw the benefits of being single again and adjusted to the idea. I’m happy to move on with my life. Are you satisfied or do you want more gossip?”
He smiles again, and I wait for the inevitable snark. Some sort of dig I’m sure he’s saved up for this occasion. I’m positive my divorce was a holiday he was dying to celebrate. When he could have his boy back and they could return to their bachelor ways of drinking and fucking their way across town together.
“Harper? I need you!” my director calls from across the hall, and I nod my understanding.
“It was nice catching up. Have a lovely time.” I plaster a fake smile on my face as I look at him one more time, wanting to make sure my director sees me being charming even when I feel anything but. My eyes drift over him for a second. One last good look for the road before I, hopefully, avoid him for the rest of the night. But I could still keep a little mental note of him looking like this. Especially now I could do it without feeling guilty that I was ogling my husband’s best friend. After all, I was only doing what half the women in Seattle would do in my shoes.
“You too, Saint.” A ghost of a smile drifts across his lips as I walk away.
TWO
Alex
I watch her walk away,shaking my head a little as I run my tongue along the edge of my teeth. That fucker failed to mention he was divorced for months. I wonder how many. I wonder how long he thought he could keep up the ruse. I’m curious what finally pushed them over the edge too, because while neither of them had seemed particularly happy for some time, they’d still clung to the illusion of it, especially in public.
I’m also curious if she’s being honest about it being her choice to end it because while I have no doubt she’s the one that called the lawyers first, I doubt she just woke up one morning with that inclination. I can almost guarantee he was the one that caused it, because despite her ice-cold and calculated demeanor whenever she talks with me, she’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She’d been a good wife to him. Done everything to make him, his family, and his friends happy. I’d watched her on more than one occasion stress and worry over every detail on a holiday or his birthday. Heard about the way she took care of him when he was sick. Saw the pictures of vacations she planned to help him get time away from the stress of work.
While she’s shocked he wouldn’t have mentioned it, I’m not surprised. If there’s one thing we don’t agree on, it’s his wife. We haven’t since the moment he told me they were dating. So I can absolutely guess why he doesn’t want me to have that information, but I can’t wait to see his face when he finds out I do.
I wander back out and see Tobias across the room leaning up against the bar. His head tilts as he sees the look on my face, and I grin even harder.
“You just got here. What could possibly have you in a good mood this quickly? You already down a glass between now and the walk in?”
“No, not yet. But thanks for the reminder that I’ve got limited time left to enjoy it before the season.”
He nods to the bartender to give me the same as he has and then looks back at me. “So?”
“She divorced him, and that fucker tried to keep it from me.”
“Who is she?”
“Drew’s wife. Harper.”
