We move to the dining room, and while we have dinner, we talk a little about everything. It’s a pleasure to discover new things about Danny.
“So, Hailey, I heard that you’re married,” says Drew.
“Yes, for almost a year,” I reply in a whisper.
“Oh no, don’t think I’m judging you. Not so. Danny told me something about your husband.”
“Because you still don’t know the genius here with what he came up with today,” I reply, shaking my head.
“This doesn’t bode well.” He asks Danny. “What’s going on, guys?”
“I’ll tell you,” Danny begins. “Jeremy, he’s gotten more and more violent. Very violent. Yesterday I noticed the marks on her neck. Last night she was hospitalized because she says she lost her balance and fell down the stairs.”
“What?” Drew gets up and comes close to me, looking at my neck.
“And that’s not all. Hailey is pregnant.”
For a moment, silence falls. Drew looks at me and turns to Danny. “You didn’t tell me you two had sex.”
“The baby belongs to my husband. I haven’t betrayed him physically,” I reply. “The problem is that the genius here…” I point to Danny. “In order to be next to me, he said he had a partner named Drew.”
“The gay friend card. Excellent thought!”
“You’re crazy! Guys, we can’t do it. I don’t dare imagine the consequences.”
Drew sits next to me, and Danny goes to the kitchen to get the cake.
“He’s crazy about you, Hailey, and he’d risk it all to be around you. He’d never admit it, but the way he looks at you says it all. You look at it the same way.”
“I love him, Drew. Danny means life for me. He’s the air I breathe, but I can’t do anything. I’m tied for life to Jeremy. He’ll never give me a divorce. He repeated to me several times that only death can separate us. Now that I’m pregnant, I’m afraid.”
“We’ll figure it out, but if you don’t feel like holding the game, I understand,” Drew reassures me.
“I need Danny in my life, but I’m afraid of what might happen if Jeremy finds out.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. Deal?”
“Yes, deal.” We shake hands
“What are you two confabulating?” asks Danny, returning to the room.
“We’ve only reached an agreement if you want my help,” Drew says.
“I knew I could count on you.” We all go to the terrace to watch the sunset while enjoying my mango and white chocolate cheesecake.
“This view takes your breath away,” sighs Drew.
“You’re a romantic, aren’t you?” I ask, smiling.
“Very.”
“So cute. Are you a writer too?”
“God, no, I’m an event planner,” he replies, handing me his business card. I read it while I drink.
“He’ll definitely take care of our wedding,” Danny says as he hands me Zoë’s biscuits.
I choke, and the two start laughing.
