“No. We—We left together.”
Stacia gasped. (Only mostly for effect.) “Cherry.This is very unlike you.”
“It seemed like a good idea in the moment.”
“Wasit? Have you seen him since then?”
“A few times. Yeah.” Cherry nodded. “It’s good.” She shook her head. “I think it’s good.”
Stacia smiled. It was a genuine smile.
Cherry felt relief wash through her. “I like him so much, Stace.”
Stacia laughed. She slapped Cherry’s arm. “Wow! Russ Sutton! I mean, why not?” She looked thoughtful again. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with him... At least there wasn’t in college—he never asked me to do anything weird. He was actually really sweet. His parents were stuck-up. But they’ll probably like you—you’re an intellectual.”
“I am not.”
“You read...”
“He has a kid,” Cherry said.
“Have you met the kid?”
“We’re nowhere near that.”
Stacia looked far away for a second. “He was so cute... Is he still cute?”
Cherry nodded. Guiltily.
“Cherry,” Stacia said. “We’re good. You didn’t break any code.”
“I think I probably did...”
“Now, if Jim and I get divorced,heis off limits.”
Cherry held up her hands. “I would never gonearJim.”
Stacia looked hurt. “Don’t say it like that! Besides, I know you like Jim...”
“I like him a normal amount.”
“You guys love to play cards. Always with the spades.”
“I like Jim the way you like your oldest friend’s husband. Also, for the record, Jim would never comenearme.”
Stacia got another chip and crunched into it, frowning at Cherry. “Hmmmm.”
Cherry stayed at the party until all the skinny ladies and sand volleyball players and toddlers had gone home. Until it was just Stacia and Jimand Jim’s mom and Cherry. The four of them played spades and ate the rest of the gluten-free party food while the kids watchedBluey.
When Cherry couldn’t stop yawning, Stacia walked her to the door.
“Oh my god,” Cherry said, putting on her coat. “I forgot to tell you—Tom’s movie trailer came out.”
Stacia made a sad face. “I know, I’m sorry.”
“Did you watch it?”
Stacia still looked sad. “Yeah.”
