“No, baby. You would have made me sit on the couch, wrapped me up in soft blankets and would have fed me homemade chicken soup. You would have treated me like an invalid. What I wanted was someone to take me to a bar, encourage me to hook up with a stranger, and hold my hand while I went off the rails.”
It sounded vaguely familiar. “Did you…hook up with a stranger?”
“See? You’re already doing it.”
Maybe Anise had a point. “You could have told me. I would have tried.”
“Dana, you frown if I ask for a second drink.”
“You make me sound like a prude.”
“You are, but you’remyprude.”
Prude. Hmm. If only she knew.
Anise rubbed her arm. “I’m sorry I kept you in the dark. If it makes you feel better, I’d really love some of that nurturing this week.”
“Of course. Whatever you need. Wait. Do Mom and Dad know?”
Anise grimaced.
“Shit, really? Everyone knows except me?”
Jessica and Bea returned to the table with a few snacks. “I see Anise finally told you,” said Bea.
“We told her she should,” said Jessica.
Dana crossed her arms and then uncrossed them. She didn’t want to pout, but it was hard not to when her sister thought she was some sort of rampaging schoolmarm.
“Will you forgive me?” asked Anise.
“Yeah.” If Anise hadn’t come to her for support, then clearly Dana had failed her as a sister. She supposed she could be a little judgmental at times. God knows she’d been judging herself ever since that night with Alex.
That would stop today.
This week was for Anise and she would make sure she got whatever she needed. Besides, Dana could hardly blame her for keeping secrets. “I guess we all keep secrets from time to time.”
“No more,” said Anise. “I promise.”
Dana’s secret burned a hole in her gut, but she swallowed in an attempt to ease the burn. She definitely couldn’t unload that shit on Anise now. “What now?”
“Now? I just want to forget about Roman for a week and I’m counting on you to help me with that. And maybe look the other way if I decide to bring a football team back to my suite.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“That was a joke and you’re doing it again.”
“Oh, sure, blame the prude, but I was the one who had to help you home after a few too many wild college parties.”
“I know and I appreciate it.You kept track of me in my wilder days.” Anise looked around the bar. “Hey, there are some fine specimens around here. Maybe I’ll meet my next husband.”
“You don’t need another husband,” said Bea. “And you certainly don’t need to look for him in Las Vegas. See those men at the bar, the ones flirting with the bartender? They all have wives at home, guaranteed.”
“You’re probably right,” said Anise. “Still, it would be fun to feel some sizzle again. Some chemistry. I think that was part of the problem with Roman. We grew too comfortable with each other. We had no spark.”
Dana shook her head. “Your issue with Roman wasn’t chemistry. Your issue was him keeping it in his pants.”
“Yes, but even before that, we had problems. I think I traded romance for security. I don’t ever want to make that mistake again.” Anise paused, deliberating. “If I ever remarry, it has to be because I feel passion. Fireworks.”
