“Kind of crazy that they can’t figure out how to get any cell service here, right?”
“Annoying more than anything.”
“I don’t know, I kind of like having you all to myself. You’re always working on something on that phone of yours.”
“Well, one of us has to have a job,” he snaps.
“You’re right, I’m sorry.” I should be defeated. I feel like I can’t get through to him anymore and don’t even know why I’m trying. But I want to—no, I need to—connect with him. If anything, to get a certain snowman off my mind. I wish I could deny my attraction to Andri, but I can’t. What I can control iswhat I do about those feelings. I’m many things, but not a single one of them is a cheater.
“So, what party did you end up going to last night? I’ve never seen you like that, it must have been a rager.” I smile and lean forward. The cowl neckline of my dress slips a bit lower than before as I do.
He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose with his finger and thumb, as if he’s fed up with the conversation.
“Just some other skiers,” he mutters before busying himself with one of the diner’s laminated menus.
“Did you meet them on that double black diamond trail you were talking about?”
He lowers the menu and looks at me with vacant eyes.
“Do you really want to know?” He smiles.
“Of course, babe, I want to know everything there is to know about you—don’t be silly, gimme all the details.” Yes, I’m finally breaking through to him!
“I booked a room in the main hotel.”
“What?” I’m confused.
“My mistress is staying there, and we had a blast drinking in the hot tub on her balcony.”
My vision tunnels, the edges turning into a dark void.
“Am I having a stroke? I thought you said your mistress… We’re not even married. Why would you have a mistress?” I’m whispering, embarrassed and hurt. My face and chest are hot, and I’m sure my pale skin is bright red.
“Listen, you’re going to be a great wife, I’m sure of it. But that’s just how things are going to work. I’m going to spend a lot of time with her, and it’s best that we’re in agreement about that now. Really, I’m giving you a gift if you think about it. A life of affluence without having to cater to my every whim. It’s a win-win for us both.”
My stomach drops as the realization hits me.
“Oh my god, it’s that woman who just left, isn’t it? I thought I recognized her—she was in the dorm next to me!” My voice gets louder. Even though he’s out of focus in my panicked vision, I can see Andri’s big blue and white form stand up at the bar.
“Yes, Veronica was at the university the same time you were.” He’s so calm.
“Were you fucking her the entire time we were together?” My voice is cracking, and I know I’m making a scene, but I don’t care.
“Well, obviously. So you see, it’s not going to be any different than it’s been for our entire relationship. But before we’re married, I just want to clear the air about it—to set your expectations.”
I taste blood in my mouth. Have I been biting the side of my cheek? I’m not sure.
“Why would you ask me to marry you? Why are we getting married if you still want to be with her?” This is all happening too fast. Am I an idiot for not seeing this, should I have known?
“Because you’re the one who got caught with me. It would be social, not to mention career, suicide to be caught with two students, now wouldn’t it?”
“But you love me, right? How could you do this to someone you love?” My fear of rejection, despite all his bullshit, rears its ugly head.
“I love the idea of us, isn’t that enough?” He puts a hand over mine. “Calm down, this will all work itself out, you’ll see. I’m glad you know, though, it really is a burden off my shoulders. Keeping it a secret has been putting me on edge all week—” He keeps talking, but suddenly my ears don’t work. All I hear is a sharp static.
I don’t feel like I have control of my body when Lerana drops off the pie in front of us. Her face is concerned, and she’s talking,but I can’t hear. My body, of its own accord, grabs a handful of the cherry pie and smashes it into Gerald’s smug face.
All the sounds rush back at once, and besides a few gasps and Lerana’s laughter, the restaurant has gone silent.
