“I had a great time,” said Bea. “Even if I didn’t make any money at the casino.”
Dana laughed. “I think that was a given.”
As Dana hugged Jessica, she whispered, “You’ll keep me posted on the baby?”
“You bet. Thank you.”
The ladies grabbed their suitcases and headed toward the door.
Dana stood in front of Anise, her head high.
“Abouthe-who-can’t-be-named,” Anise said, “I still think you’re making a mistake.”
“Anise, I realize you just heard the news, but you need to remember I’ve been living with this for a while.”
“I can’t believe you told Alex Markov about your breakup before you told me.”
“Do you really want to go there?”
“I guess not.” Anise reached for her hand. “Can we start over? We used to be so close. We told each other everything. I don’t remember why that stopped.”
“I guess, somewhere along the way, we just grew apart.”
“I don’t want that with my sister. I want to be able to share everything with you, the good and the bad. Maybe we could try to be more open with each other. You know, checking in regularly. That sort of thing.”
“I’d like that.”
“Do you want me to be there when you tell Mom and Dad?”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll call them when I get home.”
“What about Tommy?”
“We’re through.” Dana made a face. “He’s been texting.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I guess I should call him. Can’t avoid him forever.”
“Dana. I know it might sound like I was defending Tommy. I wasn’t. After my own experience, I would never want to see you saddled with a man who doesn’t value you.” She gestured around the Vice lobby. “I just don’t want you to get swept away by all of this. It’s not real, not any of it.”
Nothim, is what she really meant. Alex wasn’t real.
Only, when he was deep inside her, whispering her name like a prayer, he’d felt all too real and tangible.
Like a mirage in the desert, Alex appeared across the lobby. For a moment, Dana thought she recognized the man from Joe’s. Alex wasn’t wearing one of his nice suits. He had on some shorts and a t-shirt, as well as a pair of his designer sneakers. His face seemed pale, his expression wary. He spotted her and Anise and stopped in his tracks, hanging back so they could finish their conversation.
Anise nodded in his direction. “I guess you’ll want to talk to him now.”
“I should say goodbye.”
“Well, he can wait for a minute while I hug my sister.” They embraced and Anise kissed her on the cheek. “Call me tonight, okay?”
“I will.”
“Thank you for arranging this week, baby girl.”
“You’re welcome, old woman.”
