It’s Wednesday, the day Margot’s usually out at her lake house, so I slip on my bikini, pull on a T-shirt with a pair of cutoffs, and decide to head out there. Surprise her.
We haven’t spoken since Saturday night, other than the group text Tina sent the next morning.
Tina:Sophie honey, you okay?
Margot:Yeah, seriously. Can someone say lightweight??
Me:Totally fine. Just hung like the moon.
Nothing from Callie or Jill.
—
I CLIMB INTOthe Highlander and head for the highway. The air is thick and tangy, and I lower my windows and let the wind do with my hair what it may. As I turn down the country lane, I spy a lovely farm stand on the side ofthe road with buckets of brightly colored flowers. I slow down and park and think, Why the hell not? I could bring Margot a bunch as a thank-you for including me in the group, so on a whim, I fish a crumpled twenty from my wallet and give it to the old lady in the straw hat whose skin is puckered from the sun.
The bouquet fills the car with an earthy, sweet smell, and I roll the windows up, not wanting to sever the delicate tops of the flowers.
Easing into Margot’s drive, I see her Mercedes tucked near the front of the house. A smile spreads across my face. I park and walk up the grassy lane, and a warm gust from the lake rushes toward me like a hug.
I step onto the cedar porch. My knuckles are about to rap on the door when I spot something out of the corner of my eye. I step in front of the window and see Brad sitting on the couch.
His head is tilted back, his eyes are closed, and Margot’s on her knees below him with her back to me. His jeans are pooled around his ankles and he’s stroking Margot’s hair as she rhythmically rocks back and forth between his legs. I freeze in place and watch them for a moment, and then, to my horror, Brad slowly opens his eyes.
It takes him a second to take me in, but when he does, he unfolds his hands from behind his head and places them on Margot’s tanned shoulders, leans down, and whispers something in her ear. And before I can turn to leave, she twists around and sees me. Her eyes aren’t mad, though, and her lips rise up into a sly smile.
I turn and walk toward the car, feeling stupid with the flowers in my hand, so I aim them at the ground, dropping them.
My heart is drilling as I climb into the Highlander. I close the door and exhale; I’d been holding my breath and my head swims. I feel dizzy.
Driving away, my face sizzles with embarrassment. I feel foolish for going out there unannounced and am trying to figure out what to say to Margot, when my phone dings.
I pull over on the shoulder to read the text.
Margot:So... now you know. I’m busted. And I know I don’t have to tell you this, but don’t tell the others, they wouldn’t understand. You’ll keep my secret, won’t you?
My hands are glazed with sweat and hover over the screen as I try to think of a reply. A fist is clenching and unclenching in my stomach; I don’t know what to think of this, but I let out a long, ragged breath and type:
Secret’s safe with me.Xo
27
AFTER DINNER, ASGraham tucks Jack into bed, I step into our master bathroom and run a bath. I fill the tub with scalding water and drop in a silk sachet filled with fresh rosemary from the garden. The last dregs of sunlight bleed through the blinds, and soon, the room smells like the sharp, clean scent of a forest.
I dip a hand in the water—it’s still too hot—and quickly pull it out, my skin turning bright pink. I light a small, white candle in a glass votive, take a deep breath, and wait for the water to cool.
On the bathroom counter, my phone vibrates, zigzagging across the white quartz top. I dry my hand and snatch it—I had turned the ringer off earlier so it wouldn’t wake up Jack. It’s a group text.
Margot:Sorry ladies. No hunting this Friday night. Family stuff.
A few minutes later, Tina responds.
Tina:Understood! Bill wants to go to Shreveport to the casino that night anyway, maybe I’ll join him.
Callie:We never miss. What the hell??
Jill:I was sooo looking forward to it. But honestly, I haven’t recovered from Dallas yet so prolly for the best.
I wonder if Jed somehow found out about Brad. Or if Margot’s going to meet up with Brad. I don’t know how to respond, so I just type the thumbs-up emoji.
