She doesn’t need to know, and Mark definitely doesn’t need to hear. Because the truth is... I barely used anything from that box Felicity gave me. Colin, being more experienced than I was, almost always set the pace, and he was always a bit more... conventional.
At least with me he was.
The thought comes uninvited. Some things you don’t realize until after the relationship ends. Things you don’t question until you’re finally outside of them.
I pull myself back into the conversation just in time to hear Felicity propose a game.
“Seriously? How old are we?” I protest. “I’m out.”
It’s been ages since the three of us went out like this for a friends-only night. Harper rarely joined us, and when she did, she always left early. Before what she used to call“Felicity’s antics”began.
“Girl, I’m only in my early forties,” Felicity says with a smirk. “I’m going to have fun until the day I drop dead.”
Then she gives me a calculated look, raises her glass, and grins like the devil in lipstick.
“Never have I ever used a rabbit vibrator.”
I avert my eyes and bring the margarita to my lips.
“Knew it,” she cackles, her foot nudging mine under the table. “There’s a wild little thing hiding in you.”
We go through a few more rounds, thankfully only taking small sips instead of downing the whole glass each time. We’relaughing nonstop, in an easy, joyful mood that makes us forget real life exists.
Until it’s Mark’s turn again. “Never have I ever... been with a married woman.”
He lifts his mojito and drinks it to the bottom.
For a moment, it feels like even the restaurant falls silent. My heart tightens painfully. I look at him, and when he finally meets my eyes, the hurt on his face makes my stomach sink.
“Mark...”
He holds up a hand, stopping me.
“No,” he breathes. “Not today. I put it out there... now let it scatter. Don’t make me say more.”
Of all the things I could have guessed... this is worse. And now it all makes sense. What he meant when he said he needed to understand what happened first. He doesn’t have all the facts, and I know my friend would never have gotten involved with someone who was already in a relationship.
Mark signals to a passing waiter and orders another round for the table.
Felicity and I exchange a look, asking each other what to do.
“So... what are you two doing in what’s left of summer?” Felicity asks, trying to sound upbeat. “Oliver and I are taking the kids on our annual trip to Spain in August.”
I give her a grateful smile.
“Nice,” Mark says, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe you’ll run into Cecily over there. She’s planning a whole European tour, after all.”
“No way!” Felicity gasps excitedly. “When are you going? Which countries? Tell me everything.”
I sigh, exasperated, but let Mark use me as the distraction he clearly needs.
“They’re not plans. I was just writing things I’d like to do someday. And it won’t be anytime soon.”
“Why not?” they ask in perfect unison.
“Because I have two kids,” I say, giving them both a look. “And I can’t just pack up and fly across the world on a whim.”
Felicity straightens in her seat, sliding effortlessly into her businesswoman persona.
