Okay. They almost get me. My mouth twitches up just a little before the frown wins out. “Wow, guys,” I say. “Those ideas are…something.”
“We can come up with better ones,” says Jake.
“Yeah, just give us a few to brainstorm,” says Ollie. “We can make a mind map. Rachel has a whiteboard and everything.”
“Thanks, guys,” I say. “But I’m honestly just trying to get through this shift.”
They nod in understanding, leaving me alone, and when my shift’s finally over, I duck my head and hurry out toward my car. I’m staring down at the ground so hard, focusing on my breathing, that I almost miss the Audi idling in the parking lot. Almost. I stop in my tracks, staring at the familiar vehicle, and then pick up my pace to speed right past it. Before I can reach my car, though, Landon emerges from the driver’s side and calls my name.
I pause, I can’t help it, but I don’t turn around.
I hear his footsteps against the pavement, coming up behind me. “Where have you been?” he asks, his voice more frantic than I’ve heard him. “Why haven’t you been responding to me? I thought something happened.”
My vision sparks. Anger flares in my chest at his idiotic questions, and I whirl on him.
“Are you married to my sister?” I demand, just like that. There’s no use drawing it out or beating around the bush, and I watch as my words sink in. Landon’s face twists in shock, and he steps closer. I step back, dissecting his expression. Did he seriously have no idea about Mel’s visit to his house? I find it hard to believe. “Well?”
“I was going to tell you when I got back,” he says softly, and my heart sinks. I’ll admit, there was a small part of me, a part I’m not proud of, that was hopeful it was just another one of Mel’s lies. I realize now that I was stupid to doubt it, and I let out a slightly hysterical laugh. His eyes plead with me to understand, but I’m so far past understanding it’s ridiculous. “I’ve been trying to think of the best way to tell you.”
“Well, Mel beat you to it, didn’t she?” I snap in a voice that doesn’t sound like mine. It’s bitter and cold and furious.
Landon frowns, a look of confusion flickering across his face. “What are you talking about?”
“Mel was in your house,” I tell him. “She practically ambushed me when I got home from the airport.”
His eyes widen in horror as my words register in his head.
“She shouldn’t have been there,” he says, voice tight. “She shouldn’t still have a key.”
I shake my head, not understanding. “Why not? She’s yourwife, isn’t she?”
He winces. “There’s so much more to it than it seems.”
I give a humorless laugh, shaking my head. “Please. That’s the best you can do?”
“I was going to tell you,” he assures. “I wanted to tell you.”
“You had a million opportunities!” I cry and watch his face crumple.
“I know I did.”
“I would never,everkiss a married man, Landon, let alone mysister’s husband.I am completely humiliated. I thought we were friends. I thought I could trust you.”
“Weare.Youcan.” I shake my head again, hastily brushing away a stupid tear I don’t want him to see. His eyes narrow in on the motion, a pained expression passing over his face. “I need you to understand something. Melanie and I are married by law, but that’s it. The marriage is over, the relationship is over. I want nothing to do with her.”
I almost roll my eyes.
“She was at your house, Landon! She’s calling your phone. She’s saying you’re her husband and that I’m a traitor. That doesn’t seem like a relationship that’s over to me.”
His jaw clenches. “I don’t want to be in this marriage.”
“Then you get a divorce!”
“It’s not that simple.”
I start to back away, raising my hand. I’m overwhelmed, and I don’t want him to see me break down. I can’t break down here, in this parking lot. “I can’t do this right now, Landon. I just can’t.”
“Violet, listen to me-”
