"What if he doesn't have an explanation?" The real reason I haven't forced the conversation over the past few days finally surfaces. I'm afraid. I know what I heard, but I fear having it confirmed. The way he spoke through our text message exchange setting up the date, the way he acted at Obstinate Daughter before the phone call, and the way he conducted himself all weekend and today at my grandma's house does not match up with the man on the phone in the hallway. But I know what I heard. I'd put my hand on a Bible in a court of law.
Paisley asks, "Do you want to spend three weeks in close proximity to him, not knowing?"
"No." I shake my head as I say it. The mature thing to do is to have the conversation, even if it's unpleasant.
Paisley sits back, her doll complete. It's Klein, but she's decorated it with cut out lips all over the body.
Paloma surveys Paisley's work, pointing a long nail at the center of the doll. "You forgot one right?—"
Paisley flicks Paloma's fingertip. "That's enough out of you."
Paloma peers at my doll as Paisley pulls her phone from her purse. "You really captured the essence of Dom," she says, grinning at the misshapen shirt, the hair that looks more like a bad toupee. His eyes are two different size buttons. "What's his name?"
Considering the small x's I've sewn for his mouth, I say, "Malibu Dom."
"Hah," Paloma says loudly. "Put some flowers on his shorts and take him to the beach."
Paisley taps her phone screen and says, "Klein says he and Dom are headed to see Dom's parents."
Dom's parents? Hmm. Dom implied his childhood was bland, but at the pool he let it slip he didn't want to spend all day with them. That doesn't have to mean anything, it could be as simple as needing a break from them, but I'm curious anyway.
Paisley slides the phone back into her purse and turns to me. "Your family thinks you're really married to Dom, correct?"
I nod. "Only my sister knows the truth. My dad thinks Dom married me for my family money."
Paisley and Paloma wear matching expressions of confusion. "Do you have money?"
"My family does." I look at Paisley. "You know what I make."
She pulls an injured frown. "I'm very careful to pay you a competitive salary, plus good healthcare and an annual bonus," she defends.
"I'm not complaining," I blurt. "I'm pointing out I'm not rich. Especially not compared to the Hamptons. My dad and brother run the boutique hotel brand."
"What?" Paloma squawks. "Hampton as in'You're home when you're in a Hampton'."
"That's the old tagline. But yes."
Paloma frowns. "Why do I feel like I'm just getting to know you even though we've worked together for almost two years?"
Paisley taps the top of Paloma's hand. "I told you she'd share when she was ready."
They've had a conversation about me? Am I really that closed-off? I don't mean to be, but if I think about it, I guess I don't make it a point to share.
I'm not sure what to say now, but Paisley's hand slides across the table, covering mine. "Some people share. Some people don't think of sharing. And some people share way, way too much. Like my mother, who makes sure I know her new husband is the Energizer Bunny. Don't be like Robyn Royce-Patel." The way she says it, solemn and nodding her head, makes me laugh.
"I promise to never, ever share the details of my sex life with you."
Paloma waves a hand. "Whoa there. Don't get the wrong idea. Unless you're morally opposed, we love a good sex story."
"I get that Paisley is your best friend"—I look at Paisley, then swing my gaze back to Paloma—"but she's my boss. I can't go around slinging stories."
Paisley's hand is still on mine, and she squeezes. "You don't have to, but you can. I consider you a good friend, Cecily. More than that, really. You were a big part of helping me and Klein get together."
"I only ran his social media," I argue.
She shakes her head, arguing right back. "You had him taking pictures of me. Presenting our relationship. Seeing it differently. I'm grateful to you, and I'm happy you're my friend. Every day when I walk into the office I'm thankful I get to work with you two."
Her smile is so sweet it nearly brings tears to my eyes.
