“It’s not just about me,” Abby said carefully. “Despite what you think, everyone needs love in their lives and that includes you. You’ll never have a shot at something real if we keep meeting up like this. It’s not fair to you and it’s not fair to Fred either.”
“Of course. Fred.” Marcy stared at Abby’s mouth and inched back before she was tempted to lose control. Her libido was already firing on all cylinders but she told herself to do the right thing. The conversation with her mother had made her think about how she’d been living her life.It’s time for you to realise your actions have consequences.Those words kept playing in the back of her mind. She’d hurt people and she didn’t want to add Abby or her husband to that list.
“Yes… Fred.” Abby rubbed her temple. “I have no idea what to do about him.”
“He loves you.”
Abby got up, grabbed the dressing gown that hung over one of the dining room chairs and closed it tight. They’d never talked about her husband on nights like these and Marcy knew she felt guilty for mentioning his name while sitting on the sofa with Abby half-naked. “Yes, he loves me, and I love him, but there’s just no fire between us. Not anymore. Physically, he can’t give me what I need. It’s as simple as that.”
Marcy felt for Abby. She didn’t want to leave her husband, yet she was physically attracted to women, and in a way, it was her fault as she’d been the one to help Abby figure that out. “Why don’t you talk to Fred?” she said. “Be honest and tell him you like women. Tell him how you feel and maybe he’ll consider the idea of having an open marriage or whatever it is that you need. Maybe he’d consider a threesome?”
Abby let out a sarcastic chuckle and rolled her eyes. “Not Fred. He’d be consumed with jealousy.”
“You don’t know that if you’ve never talked about it. Lots of people have open relationships.” Marcy hesitated. “How long have you been married?”
“Thirty-two years.”
“Then don’t you think it’s possible that Fred fantasises about being with other women sometimes? He’s only human and I imagine your sex life isn’t what it used to be.”
“It was never that great.” Abby shrugged. “So yes, you may have a point.”
“And leaving him is not an option, right?”
Abby shook her head, needing no time to think about that. “No. We have kids together and many great years behind us. If I left him, my life wouldn’t feel real anymore.” A sad smile played around her lips as she glanced up at their wedding photo above the fireplace.
“You both look so happy,” Marcy said, following her gaze.
“We were. We still are, I suppose. I mean, he’s my best friend, but it’s the physical thing that I crave at this stage in my life. I’m not getting any younger and I don’t want to be written off at fifty-seven.” Abby lingered in front of the large corner sofa where they’d spent many nights, but she didn’t sit back down.
Marcy knew then she’d never come back to this beautiful villa on the outskirts of Altea. Not with the same intention anyway. It didn’t feel sad, just weird, and as she got up and headed for the door, she felt a strange sense of relief as well as a hint of sadness. “Will I see you at the gallery?” she asked. “I’d still love to share a bottle of wine with you and Mum when I come to see her and if I stop coming, she’ll wonder why.”
“Of course. I’d like that.” Abby followed her and gave her a small smile. “This has been wonderful but let’s face it; it will only end in tears. I see that now.” She rubbed Marcy’s shoulder. “You need to stop hiding behind one-night stands and unavailable women. Living like this won’t make you happy in the long-term. Please think about that.”
“I’ll think about it.” Marcy leaned in and kissed her cheek. “And you need to talk to Fred.” She turned at the door and gave Abby’s hand a quick squeeze. “Friends?”
Abby nodded, her smile widening. “Friends.”
22
Zoe checked her watch and decided it was time to cut her team some slack. They were as ready as they could be and there was no point staying if all preparations were done. “Thanks, everyone. I suggest we clean up, go home and get two days rest before we open on Friday.”
Her announcement was met with enthusiasm and immediately her team started cleaning their stations. Zoe filled a bucket with hot water and chlorine and started mopping the floor. She’d always been annoyed by her superiors who never helped out at the end of the day, and she wasn’t going to turn into one of them.
“Thanks, boss,” her sous chef said as she walked past. “It’s nice to finish early.” She moved a trolley aside so Zoe could clean there. “And I just wanted to say that I really appreciate this opportunity. You’re a great leader, you have a great team and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Zoe stopped what she was doing and smiled, feeling emotional at hearing those words. She appreciated her team, but she’d never considered they felt the same about her, and someone telling her so was more than she could have hoped for. “Thank you. I think we have a fantastic and talented team too, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep you all happy.”
“I know. That’s why I’m excited to work here.”
“Me too,” the kitchen porter who walked past them said. “I know I’m just here to do dishes, but I love that you’re teaching me things and that I get a chance to help out on the other stations before service.”
“Of course. Everyone deserves the chance to learn at their job, otherwise there’s little point, right?” Zoe swallowed down the lump in her throat and pretended to focus on the floor, worried they’d see tears welling up in her eyes. “Now, let’s get this cleaned up quickly. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to a cold beer.”
* * *
“Marcy?” Zoe walked up to Marcy, who was sitting in the back of her truck in the car park, her legs dangling down as she focused on her phone. She was wearing shorts and a vest top, and Zoe felt a little flustered by the amount of skin on display.
“Oh, hey,” she said, looking up. “Are you heading home?”
