‘It’s complicated.’
‘Where is he?’
‘At this time of the night? Probably in bed with his girlfriend.’
‘Ah.Thatkind of complicated.’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be. I should never have married him in the first place.’
‘I’m sure a lot of people say that when a marriage breaks up. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.’
‘It’s not hindsight at all. I knew on our wedding day that I shouldn’t be marrying him.’
If he was surprised that I was opening up to him almost immediately after telling him to mind his own business, he didn’t show it. ‘So why did you?’
I stared up the stars. ‘Have you ever felt like you were caught up in something that you couldn’t get out of? Like you were on a train heading somewhere that you knew was wrong, somewhere you had no business going, but with no way of stopping the train?’
To his credit, he thought about it. Didn’t just dismiss the question as absurd. As if he sensed that I was sharing something incredibly vulnerable. ‘No. I don’t think so.’
‘Trust me, you’d know if you had. It’s the worst feeling in the world.’
I moved my arms through the water, enjoying the feeling of my skin being cleansed, and the day being washed away. My sudden openness had shocked even me. Maybe it was because we had the cover of darkness, or my mother’s tendency to overshare was rubbing off on me. Maybe it was because we were complete strangers. Or maybe it was because I’d had a few drinks and needed someone to vent to. I wasn’t sure, but whatever it was, I felt comfortable sharing things with him that I hadn’t shared with anyone.
‘I don’t understand,’ he said. ‘If you knew that you didn’t want to marry him, why didn’t you just call it off?’
‘The weight of other people’s expectations, I suppose,’ I admitted. ‘And guilt.’
‘Guilt?’
I realized I’d said too much. This was heading into dangerous territory. ‘Ignore me. I’ve had a couple of wines and I’m wallowing.’
‘Are you sure? I’m happy to listen if you need someone to vent to. I’ve been told I’m a good listener.’
‘Does your wife say that?’
‘I don’t have a wife.’
‘Divorced?’
‘I’ve never been married.’
‘Girlfriend?’
‘Why don’t you just come out with it and ask if I’m single?’
‘What?’ I blustered. ‘That’s not what… I wasn’t… I don’t care if you’re single or not.’
He laughed.
‘Let me guess, you’re teasing again,’ I said drily.
‘Not my fault you make it so easy.’
‘Your turn in the hot seat, Mr. L.A. Are you enjoying slumming it here in Pine Harbor?’
