They turn to us and I wrench my gaze from Luke’s, trying to find my voice.
“Sure,” Luke says, as if the whole world isn’t tilting on its axis.
I swallow hard. My head is spinning and dinner is about to end up on the sidewalk.
God, I have to get out of here. I don’t want to do this to Alex again, but I cannot be around him right now. I don’t know what I’ll say or do while I feel like this.
I lift a hand to my forehead, pressing my eyes closed to avoid Luke’s gaze. “Alex, I’m so sorry but I think my migraine might be coming back.” It’s not a complete lie. Now I really do feel ill.
Her face falls, but she nods. “Okay. We’ll go home.”
“No! You guys go and have your dessert. I’ll head back, it’s only a few blocks. I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow,” I add, still unable to look at Luke. Because I’m not sure at all.
Alex hesitates. “Okay, if you don’t mind?”
“Let me at least walk you home,” Luke offers, and it takes all my strength not to punch him in the mouth and tell him to fuck right off.
Instead, I turn as calmly as I can and fake a syrupy smile. “No, thank you. I’m fine.” Then I spin on my heel and stride off down the street before I do or say anything that will get me into trouble.
I stalk along for a block in a daze. I have to be careful to watch where I’m going, which streets I need to turn down. I’m so worked up, I could walk all the way uptown without realizing.
I mean, Christ. He’smarried? That’s his version ofcomplicated? That’s not complicated at all. That is, in fact, pretty damn straightforward.
“Harriet! Wait.”
I pause, then continue my furious pace when I recognize the voice.
“Please, wait.” He’s beside me now. “I wanted to tell you. I didn’t know how to explain—”
I stop, spinning to face him. “Explain what? That you’re married?” I shake my head, my nerves raw. “How could you have sex with me? What kind of an asshole are you?” My heart is juddering against my ribs and my breathing is shallow. I hate confrontation but I just cannot let this one slide.
Harriet 2.0, have at it.
“Here I was thinking that maybe you were a nice guy, but you’re not. You’re a total sleaze.”
His eyebrows slant together and he rakes a hand through his hair. “It’s not like that, you don’t understand. Things are complicated—”
“Ha!” I huff, incredulous. “Stop using that bloody word! Because it’s not—it’s very clear cut. You’remarried.” I turn on my heel and start walking again, ignoring his voice calling my name. Nausea slams into me as my words ring in my ears, and I think of his poor, unsuspecting wife. No wonder he wouldn’t let me say anything. And Michael and Alex are friends with her! I can’t believe I did that to another woman, to Alex’s friend—and, oh God, no…
I whip around. He’s still standing where I left him and I stride back a few feet. “Do you have kids?” I demand, dreading the answer. I cannot be a home-wrecker, I cannot live with myself if—
“No! Of course not. It’s not even—”
“Well that’s something,” I mutter. At least I haven’t torn a family apart. My stomach clenches like a fist as I move my eyes over his handsome face. Of course he’s married. He’s far too good-looking to be single. In fact, I bet this isn’t even his first affair. He’s probably hooking up with women all the time—he could certainly have his pick of them. The only problem is thatthisone came back to haunt him and now he has to face it.
“Please, let me explain.” He looks desperate, and for a single second I feel sorry for him. “Dena and I—”
“Stop,” I say, raising a shaking hand. “There is nothing you could say that would possibly justify—”
“We’re getting divorced, Harriet.”
I freeze. “Divorced?”
Oh. I get it.
“Is that because of your—” I break off, searching for the right word, and he narrows his eyes at me.
“My what?”
