“Because you don’t,” she says.
“I wish you were coming tomorrow,” I say.
Alexis nods. “It’s only a week, though. And we’re gonna see each other on Skype!”
“True.”
She throws a white dress into the suitcase and tosses her arms overhead when she makes it. “And then I will be there to help your angst-ridden behind.”
“I am not angst ridden,” I say, scooping up a wedge.
“Yes, darling, you are.” She looks at me funny for a moment and then starts folding some bedazzled denim shorts. “Do you want to come out tonight?” she asks. “Georgina is throwing a soiree at the beach.”
A party at Georgina’s actually sounds kind of fun. Plus, I could use seeing some other faces before the three of us take off for Triangle, Part Two.
“Sure.”
“Fabulous. We’re going to do a barbecue. Just us, plus Tailor.” She makes a face at me.
“She’s not so bad,” I say.
“That is not an opinion I share.” Alexis stands and goes to her closet. She pulls out a blue dress. “Yes?”
I’m just about to tell her no when I hear the front door open. Immediately, I see Alexis freeze. “Shit,” she says.
I look behind me, to where her gaze is fixed. There is Britney, standing in the entryway.
I’m filled with rage. All the emotions from her attack at Rainer’s come to the surface. I’m ready to spew.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Britney says. She has a Whole Foods bag tucked under her arm, and she drops it on the counter.
“I thought you were seeing Sebastian this afternoon,” Alexis says. “And you were coming home later?”
Britney doesn’t take her eyes off me. “He moved our session to earlier.”
I take in her Lululemon-clad frame. Her hair is up in a messy ponytail.
“Home?” I say. “Is she living here now?”
“What do you care?” Britney asks.
I throw my hands up. “I’m out of here,” I say. I rock myself back onto my heels and stand. I go into the bedroom to grab the rest of the shopping bags. Alexis follows me.
“Sorry,” she says. “I didn’t think she was going to be back this early. She’s just been crashing with me for a little while.”
I grab the Kitson bag and drop a sweater that’s trailing on the floor inside another one from Reiss. “It’s fine,” I say. “She’s your friend.”
“She doesn’t have anyone right now,” Alexis continues. “She’s…”
I look at Alexis. I can see something written there, but I don’t know how to read it.
“She did this to herself,” I say, pushing on. “You should have seen how she told me about Rainer. She wasdelighted. She couldn’t have been happier to make me miserable.”
Alexis eyes me. “I know, I know. You’ve told me ten times, but she’s been through a lot. She’s not a bad person. She’s—”
I grab the last bag and toss the tissue paper on the floor a little too aggressively. “Not a very good one, either? I’m sorry, Alexis, but that girl has been straight-up trouble in everyone’s lives. I don’t know why you can’t see that.”
“Don’t hold back.”
