Therehadto be another explanation. A logical one. A boring one. A financial one. A professional one. An unexpected one. Anything but the thing Crista feared.
Deleted texts. A password. A separate account.
Anthony was busy. He was ambitious and stepping into a new role. Okay, he had a pretty assistant and took his calls outside. None of that equaledinfidelity.
“Magnolia Fredericks Lawson.”
Maggie blinked at her full name. “What?”
“You have not heard a single word I’ve said in the last five minutes.”
Maggie turned to her friend. “It hasn’t been asingleword, Jo. It’s been a continuous broadcast with no commercial breaks for applause or breath.”
Jo Ellen stopped walking, flipping back a few silver locks that Maggie used to think were too long for a seventy-eight-year-old but she kind of loved now.
“Excuse me for breathing,” Jo Ellen murmured.
“Am I right?”
“You’re…brutal.” Jo Ellen laughed. “But that’s why I love you. The truth is I have been delivering a perfectly curated monologue about the emotional state of every human in the Summer House—including dear Atlas, who smiled at me and it wasnotgas—and you have been nodding like a dashboard ornament.” She leaned in. “We should get a few of those for Scarlett,” she added, referring to their playful name for the red T-bird their friend had unexpectedly gifted them. “Maybe a Georgia Bulldog bobblehead for old time’s sake?”
Maggie wasn’t thinking about the car. “Whatever,” she muttered. “I’m just…worried about other things.”
“Then share them,” Jo Ellen said, putting a hand on Maggie’s shoulder. “Or I’ll start guessing, and I’m going with a brain tumor.”
“Jo Ellen!”
“A long and sexy conversation with Brick the Biker?”
“Would you stop?”
“Oh, I know!” Jo Ellen practically danced on the sand. “You’re planning your toast for Eli and Kate’s wedding! How’s that for wishful thinking?”
Wedding? “It’s…crazy. Like you.” Maggie wanted to share all her fears, but somehow, repeating Crista’s allegations made them feel true.
“What’s going on, Mags?” Jo Ellen asked gently. “I’m here for you, no matter what.”
Maggie looked out at the water again, feeling herself succumbing to the temptation to tell.
“It’s not fun, it’s not pleasant, and, most of all, it’s not true,” Maggie started. “And you have to promise not to breathe a word to anyone and I do mean anyone—not Kate, not Tessa, not Meredith, and please not Crista. Not a soul.”
Jo Ellen raised her right hand. “I swear I will not breathe a word of whatever you are about to tell me. I swear on the sisterhood of Delta Delta Delta, in the spirit of the Tri-Delt honor code, the secret handshake, and the eternal bond of our sorority. I swear upon every pastel cardigan and pearl necklace I have ever owned that this dies with me.”
Despite herself, Maggie laughed. “All right.”
Jo Ellen leaned in, vibrating with anticipation. “I’m avault.”
Maggie took a breath. “Crista thinks Anthony is cheating on her.”
The smile vanished. “What?”
“She told me this morning.”
“No.” Jo Ellen shook her head. “No, no, no. That’s not?—”
“She’s convinced.”
“But they have Nolie. And a baby on the way. He couldn’t possibly…could he?” Her voice broke on the last two words.
