“I’m so sorry you even have to think about this.”
I debated whether I wanted to tell Anna about being taken in for questioning. But since she’s my closest confidant besides Cheryl and one of my best friends, I decided to be honest with her and told her about my experience.
“I am too. But will you tell me? I just feel like I don’t want to be caught off guard by what everyone’s saying. Even if the news hasn’t said anything about me, I worry people will start to wonder.”
Muffled voices filter through the phone. Anna’s voice is quieter when she responds, “Don’t worry, Lily. I got you. You’ll know everything I know.”
My apprehension about going into work lessens slightly with her promise. “Thank you, Anna. I’ll be in shortly.”
Disconnecting the call, I quickly gather my bag and slip on my shoes. Annoyed that I don’t have my car, I order a ride from the app on my phone on my way to the elevator. Yesterday, when Chris was dropping me back off at the hotel, he insisted on driving me to work today. I told him that wasn’t necessary because I hated the idea of taking up even more of his time. But right now, I wish I hadn’t done that. I wish I were getting into his car instead of some random person’s.
When we turn into the parking lot, I do what I’ve done every day for the last thirteen years. I push every emotion down and pull the veil so tight that the only thing I project is stoic professionalism.
My legs feel shaky as I cross the lot, and anxiety spikes with every step closer to the door. With my hand resting on the door handle, my eyes close as I take a moment to steel my resolve not to let this break me down.
With my spine tall, I pull the door open and step inside. I’m greeted with hesitant smiles and pleasantries. Not judgmental or suspicious, just hesitant, which is to be expected.
By the time I make it back to my office, my smile feels brittle and forced. When I see Anna, I let it drop. “Please tell me my first meeting isn’t for at least an hour.”
Anna grins and flips a folder out for me to take. “You actually have two hours. Here’s everything you need for all the meetings today. You’ll probably need to prep the most for your eleven o’clock. And there’s a bacon, egg, and cheese on a plain bagel on your desk, along with a large coffee with cream and two sugars.”
I grab the folder from her. “You’re a goddamn dream, Anna. I love you, forever and always.”
She calls out to me as I walk toward my office door. “I plan on reminding you of this when it’s time for my annual review.”
I chuckle as I settle behind my desk, ready to start my day, no matter what it may bring.
My morning meetings go perfectly, with only a few probing questions that were shut down quickly by either Anna or my vice president, Faith. Faith is relatively new to the company, but it meant so much to me that she’d step in and watch out for me even without talking to me about what happened.
As if my gratitude conjured her, Faith raps her knuckles on the doorframe. “Hi, Lily. You have a few minutes?”
I wave her in. “Of course, please. Come on in.”
She smiles and walks over, taking one of the chairs facing my desk. Her face is curious and empathetic. “I just wanted to check in with you. Coming back to work has to be a little daunting. I know your and Blake’s relationship wasn’t great, but regardless, I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling.”
An unexpected burst of sadness fills my lungs. I swallow through the lump in my throat before replying, “Thank youso much for checking on me. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous, but this is what I needed to take my mind off things, at least temporarily.”
Besides Anna, Cheryl and Faith are the only two people who know that Blake and I didn’t have a great relationship. I never told them about the abuse or about how truly mean he was to me at times, but I did tell them how I wasn’t in love with him and that I wanted to get a divorce eventually. There’s no way any of us could’ve foreseen that this was how my marriage would end instead.
“I’d be the same way. Is there anything I can do to help? And I don’t just mean with work.”
Between Anna this morning, my conversation with Cheryl, and now Faith’s genuine kindness, my façade slips just a bit more.
When I open my mouth to reply, Anna interrupts, “Lily, there’s amanout here asking for you?”
The way she emphasizes the word “man” makes me laugh, especially since I have a feeling I know who she’s referring to, though I’m very surprised he’d show up at my job. I don’t even remember telling him where I work.
“You can show him in, Lily.” Both Faith and I stand as Anna retreats and returns with Chris in tow.
I glance over at Faith and have to stifle my laugh when I see her expression as she takes him in. I had the same reaction when I first saw Chris, so I can understand. He’s so effortlessly sexy in his expensive suit and windblown hair. He’s a perfect example of a rebellious GQ model with limitless confidence and charisma.
He grins at Faith and extends his hand, and I hate the burning jealousy that stabs me in the heart for just a moment. “Hello. Chris Rivers.”
Faith rounds her chair to close the distance betweenthem. “Faith Montgomery.” I can see the recognition light up her face when she makes the connection. “Wait, are you the attorney Chris Rivers who used to be on the news all the time?”
Chris slips a hand into the pocket of his slacks as he unbuttons the single button on his suit jacket. The action is captivating to watch, with his jacket opening slightly to reveal his broad chest. “That would be me.”
Faith looks back at me, surprise lining her features. It’s in that moment that I realize it never occurred to her until just now that I might be a suspect in my husband’s murder. Her naivety is refreshing, yet disheartening. Worry weighs me down when I begin to wonder if her feelings toward me may change now that she’s had this revelation.
