“Things are good. I’m happy to be back to a full schedule. Classes are great except for freaking Abbie…you know the student you keep pushing on me? Now she wants a piece of my research project if I get the grant. I don’t even know how she found out about it.”
Not looking at me, she said, “This isn’t what I wanted to hear about.”
“Ugh, I should’ve known you were the one to tell her.”
“It’s Friday night. I don’t want to talk shop.”
She raised her slim arm and motioned for another drink.
“Your arms look amazing. I should try your trainer.”
“Claire, don’t you dare think flattery is going to make me forget I want to hear about your stud muffin.”
“Okay, okay.” I swiveled to face my cross-examiner, crossed one leg over the other, and leaned close. “He’s good. Very, very good. Good at cooking. Great at making me laugh, touching, basically everything. He lights my fire, makes me all tingly. I’m not myself when I’m with him. I feel alive, excited for tomorrow and the next day. I’m anxiously awaiting the moment my bubble bursts, but I guess until then, I’m having a good ol’ time.”
“Not every bubble bursts.”
“Mine do. They always do, and when this one does, it’ll split me in half. I’ve never felt this kind of connection before. Not even with David.”
“Oh, please, Claire, this could be your epic. Your love of a lifetime.”
“So, how are Pat and the kids?” I wanted to change the subject. Focusing on my impending doom hurt my head.
“Bringing them up is like bursting my bubble. Pat’s the same. Handsome, aging well, making the big bucks, but completely out of it when it comes to what’s going on at home. Thank God for Marissa. Without her, I’d be stuck at home.”
“You better get her an amazing Christmas gift. If you lose her, you’re screwed.”
“Amen.”
I polished off my wine and motioned for another.
“Anything for you,” the bartender said, which set Mary off into a fit of laughter. “He didn’t say that to me.”
“Shut it.”
With a fresh drink, I asked, “Are you happy with Pat, Mar? I’m worried about you. I know you always slough it off, but really? Are you?”
She knocked back the rest of her drink. “I don’t know anymore. I can’t believe I finally said it aloud.” She whispered the last part, closing her eyes. “I just don’t know. Fifteen years ago, he was everything I wanted. Polished, collared shirts, good job, money, sex…but now, it’s bland. Forget that our sex life is almost nonexistent…he’s all about himself. His job, his house, his car. All the while, I work like a dog, handle everything with Marissa and take care of the kids when she’s not there.”
“I don’t know what the answer is, but I do know you deserve to be deliriously happy. You’re a good one, Mar.”
“Thanks.” She tapped my knee. “Now, let’s forget we even talked about this and get a third drink and have some fun. Marissa is staying late tonight because she’s off tomorrow.”
Waiting for the bartender, I worried about Mary. She was too stoic, too protective of her asshole husband, too good for this shit.
We made some small talk about the new staff at the registrar’s office, and halfway through our third drink, Mary looked up and cocked her head. Following her gaze, I saw what, I mean who, caught her eye—Aiken.
He was at a table by the door, a two-top with high-backed stools, two drinks in front of him and one curvy blonde across from him. He took a sip of his beer, oblivious to us, the blonde talking and gesturing like a crazy, ditzy specimen. Okay, maybe not crazy or ditzy. I didn’t mean to be mean, but I was having a hard time not.
“I’m sure it’s nothing. She probably plopped down in front of him, and what was he supposed to do?” Mary consoled me.
“It’s fine, Mar. I knew I couldn’t hold on to him for forever.”
She stared me down.
“Except, I don’t want to go out now, but I can’t sit here all night. Someone has to let Smitty out. I came straight from campus, and now I’m stuck here in this predicament, stuttering and rambling like one of my students.”
“You need to make sure he sees you saw him. Period. End of.”
