Her mouth dropped open and she blinked. It wasn’t often Junie was struck silent. “Oh no. The marriage was fake?”
I nodded. A tear rolled down my cheek.
“And you fell for him anyway.”
“So hard.”
She hooked my elbow and dragged me to the couch. I took the corner I’d vacated when she’d arrived. My spot was still warm. She disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a spoon and a carton of mint chip.
“I thought you were dairy-free and didn’t eat after nine at night?” I’d read the article on her in a magazine. Then I’d laughed with Summer because she used to catch Junie in the closet with crackers and cheese at midnight when she was stressed—like during finals,before prom, and in the months before she’d decided to pursue her singing career.
She plopped on the other end of the couch and tucked her feet under the blanket. As if sensing there were two warm bodies available, Sprinkles strutted back into the room.
“That was for the magazine. And for the record, I said milk made my eczema worse. I never said anything about ice cream or cheese. Besides, ice cream is better than the wine Wynter and I had when she was mopey over Myles.”
None of us drank when we were sad. Mama and Daddy had made us associate spirits with good times and family. Thus, the ice cream. “No eating after nine?”
“It’s five o’clock somewhere.” She took the lid off her carton. “Your heart is broken and the others are worried about you.”
“They are?” Scarlett had hovered at school, but I could’ve rivaled that camera-ready smile of Junie’s. I’d worked Wednesday night and both Summer and Wynter had fluttered around me. I’d put on a good show. There was no reason not to. I didn’t need to see anyone’s pity to know I’d made a mistake when I had thought I could leave the marriage unscathed.
But then, I was still married. Gideon’s lawyer hadn’t sent the divorce papers yet. I still wore my ring. Had he taken his off? Of course he had. He had no reason to inform anyone about me.
More tears popped into my eyes. I stabbed my spoon in my ice cream.
“Scarlett said you talk like you’re reciting lines in a play.”
I wrinkled my nose. The only actors Scarlett saw inplays were the kids during the performances. I did not put on that stilted of a show.
“Wynter said she had to fix five orders behind your back at the bar on Wednesday night.”
“She did not.” At Junie’s direct gaze, I tried to recall the evening. Wynter had been bustling around me and talking to the customers more than usual. I thought it was because I’d told her what the deal between me and Gideon had been and she was avoiding me.
“Summer said you snapped at Tenor.”
I couldn’t deny that one. Tenor was the most sensitive brother and I still felt bad about biting his head off.
He had actually approached me about a new inventory system that would work for the entire distillery. He’d wanted my input from the bar’s standpoint. In my awful mood, I had assumed he’d made his decision already and was placating me.
Then he’d shown me the demo program and the various options he’d researched. I hadn’t apologized yet, but I’d gone through the programs and given him my feedback in less than twenty-four hours.
“I haven’t been a nice person to be around.” Even my students had sensed my dark mood and constantly asked if I was okay. Stuffing my emotions down until the end of the day and pretending everything was all right wasexhausting. I stuffed my spoon under a big chunk of cookie. I rolled my eyes to clear my tears away.Don’t cry—again.
“Oh, honey.”
I shook my head, but I couldn’t meet her gaze. “Tell me about that cutie you’re touring with. Is he as single as the tabloids say he is?”Please tell me everything. I couldn’t spendanother night crying over a situation that wouldn’t be changing anytime soon.
She smacked her lips, not answering. I was desperate to talk about anything other than how I couldn’t look anywhere in the house and not think of Gideon. Of how I’d been almost late for work this morning because I’d had a crying fit in the garage. My car didn’t smell like Gideon anymore either. Two whole days was all I’d gotten with his scent before it had been gone.
“Well”—she gestured at me with her spoon—“you, of course, can’t tell anyone, but he’s seeing the other singer we’re on tour with, but they haven’t announced it yet.”
I exhaled my relief and sank farther into the cushions. I could get lost in other people’s drama and forget there was none of my own.
Gideon
A month after I’d returned to Las Vegas, I was a grumpy fuck and everyone in the office kept their distance. My assistant rarely messaged or called, and I canceled more meetings than I kept. That was what a month of shitty sleep did to me.
I’d had the meeting with Taya and Harold the day after I’d returned. He’d asked me a few times if everything was okay and referenced my mysterious family emergency, but I hadn’t answered him. Half the time he’d been telling me about his plans, I’d been focused on my left ring finger and how goddamn naked it felt without my ring.
