Right. He entered his details, marking the contact “Shane M,” and handed back her phone. She glanced at the screen.
“Shouldn’t this be a code name or something?” she asked.
“Why? You’re not seeing the asshole for another week. You planning a long, covert, drawn-out sting or something?” He squinted one eye at her, sizing up her response.
“Well, no, but ... I don’t know. Fine. Shane M it is. I’ll text you so you have my number.”
A message flashed on his screen.
Unknown number: Hi. It’s Anna.
He saved the number under “Tinkerbell” and walked to his car, calling over his shoulder as he left. “We’ll sort something out soon Tinks.”
Chapter 7: Anna—Unexpected allies and fragile hope
Anna took a deep breath as she clued in Mel and Rosa over the phone that night. Mason had texted some rubbish about workshops and schedules. She’d just responded with “Okay, thanks xx.” It had killed her to add the kisses. She’d typed and deleted them three times before hitting send. Tears were still her go-to response to pretty much anything, but she felt herself becoming stronger. Her feelings of heartbreak and her fears of not being enough brought on tears but feeling like a fool and thinking about his betrayal brought on pure anger.
Mel was appropriately sympathetic, but Anna could tell she was getting swept up in the adventure of it all. Rosa was still stuck in rage mode. At some point, Anna was going to have to talk to Eliza and her dad, but she pushed the thought away. Her dad would likely ring Mason to confront him, and she couldn’t risk that right now.
She’d just ended her call with Rosa and Mel when her phone buzzed.
Unknown number: Is this Anna? Mason’s partner?
She checked her contacts. Nope, it wasn’t Shane. His number had been programmed in.
Anna: Yes, who is this?
Unknown number: Consider me a friend. Or at least the enemy of your enemy.
Anna was intrigued. The phone rang. Unknown number. She answered.
“Hello?”
“Hi, um Anna?” a feminine voice asked.
“Yes.”
“We’ve met but you may not remember me, though I’m sure you’ve heard my name. This is Lilah, from Mason’s work.”
“Is everything okay Lilah?”
“Yes, at my end. Look, I don’t know how to say this. I think Mason is a dick. I don’t even really know you and I know you can do better. I’m ringing because he left our drinks tonight with someone and they went to the same floor, even though he’s on the floor above her in the room next to me.”
Anna’s eyes watered. It was one thing to know Mason was cheating, but another to know that full sex between the man she loved and some random work bitch was potentially happening now in real time.
Lilah spoke again, her voice gentle.
“Do you want me to hang up Anna?”
“No, I’m sorry. I’m just stunned but not stunned, if you know what I mean. I suspected. I mean, I feel like I knew but hearing it from someone else ...”
“Do you know who she is, Anna?” Lilah asked.
“Yes, I think so, but please tell me anyway.”
“Her name is April. She’s a snobby bitch from accounts. She’s married and not hugely popular here, except with a few select men, including Mason. I’m so sorry honey,” Lilah finished.
“Thanks. I’m beginning to think Mason was unfair about you,” Anna choked out. She was clearly crying but Lilah was being kind and didn’t press her on it.
