“Me too,” Jackie said, sidling up to Joshua as she raised her small plate in the air. Her arms flexed with the movement, revealing the thin definition of her muscle.
“Me three,” Abby, Jackie’s friend—who had arrived alongside them, unannounced—chimed in.
This additional guest was one more blow to Danika and the week. Her unexpected presence was almost as bad as that girl’s,Augie. Shehad learned her ridiculous name from Zami. It all made Danika enraged, her body tight. She poured herself more wine.
Danika knew she had to remain collected. So just as the Fravels arrived, she’d retreated to her bedroom, pacing back and forth while shaking her hands at her wrists, trying to release her anxiety. She couldn’t stop replaying Augie’s sudden appearance, Chat’s reaction. While he had been clearly surprised, he had also been clearlyhappy. It was obvious now that Augie was here for payback. Danikahadbumped her at that happy hour—hadbroken her and Chat up at the pool. Would that make this revenge? Danika felt emboldened by the thought, threatened and defensive. Who did she think she was?
Danika was further annoyed Augie was spending so much time with Teuta. She trusted Teuta’s opinion of people—she hated certain members—and Danika thrived off her approval. She felt Teuta, like Chat, was one of the few people who really saw her, who knew she was different. It incensed her to imagine Teuta and Chat and Augie together in the kitchen, talking about how over-the-top the cabin was, how spoiled they all were—talking about Danika herself.
It was unfair how only just after Danika regained her composure, Joshua Mike and Jackie had arrived with an extra guest popping out of their back seat. Danika felt like a firework had gone off inside her—and she’d instantly turned to Bill, looking for someone to blame. He had raised his hands in surrender, a promise he hadn’t known. Danika steadied herself once more as she greeted them, as Jackie hugged her and told her she was the “hostess with the mostest!”
Now, Danika forced a smile at the two women over the top of her wineglass. She couldn’t wait for this night to end. She was already tired of playing along, pretending not to be bothered by Jackieand Abby, who were feeding each other cheese and crackers. Danika wondered if the three of them were sleeping together. She knew Joshua Mike was part of the Club’s swinging crowd—the not-so-secret group that met at the Lakeside Lounge on Thursdays. From the instant the three had arrived, they were always touching one another, elbows and shoulders and chins. Even now, Abby brushed crumbs from Jackie’s lip.
Danika wanted to complain to Holly, but Holly was already tipsy and chatty, and Danika couldn’t get her alone. Not that she’d know where to start anyway.
“The brie is from Bennington Farms,” Danika said mechanically as she turned back to the group, trying to hide her frustration by making small talk. She couldn’t imagine Abby or Jackie knew the renowned farm-to-table grocer; she hoped it would make them feel dumb.
“Oh, wonderful,” Mallory Harrison chimed in. “We have a standing delivery with them for the new restaurant. The cheeses are divine.”
“Never heard of it,” Jackie said, indifferent.
“It’s all delicious, Danika,” Joshua Mike added. “You really do have the best taste.”
“We can’t wait for the restaurant opening, Mallory,” Bill interjected. Danika could feel him working the room, his charm set to full blast.
“Youandus both,” Malcolm said. “Shit is taking forever.”
“Is the theme still magic or whatever?” Holly said as she sipped her drink.
“Magical realism,” Mallory corrected. “It’s the Michelin chef’s concept, of course. A blending of Latin flavors. It’s whimsical. You’ll see. We’ve all been working really hard.”
Holly made a sarcastic humming sound as Jackie asked if that meant tacos.
“Okay, ladies.” Bill laughed. “I’m sure it will be fabulous, Mal.”
Danika looked to the other side of the deck, where Chat and the kids had set up a board game on the outdoor couch. She felt comforted by their presence. She was also glad she hadn’t yet seen Chat with Augie, who seemed to be hiding in the kitchen.
This made Danika more skeptical.Whywas she hiding?Whatwas she hiding? Part of her was glad she was out of sight, though. Unlike Jackie and Abby with their fake eyelashes and fillers, Augie was a natural beauty, all flawless skin and apple cheeks, her youth shining and undeniable. It made Danika depressed, picturing her twenty-two-year-old self. She had been better looking than them all! She again felt her age dividing her from her previous sense of self—a line in the sand. She would never be that person again.
God, this night was hell.
“Did you have any ajvar?” Danika said to Chat as she crossed the deck toward the bar. She knew ajvar was his favorite of Zami’s creations.
“Of course.” Chat rose from the couch, glancing at Gigi and the boys as he moved to Danika. “I think I had half the bowl. Like I told Teuta, it never gets old. I could eat it every day.”
Danika smiled. She was a little surprised Chat and Teuta seemed to know each other so well, but she was glad they were friends. She knew Chat visited the bakery between the boys’ activities.See, she thought,she wasn’t some crazy, possessive employer.
Danika traced the thick swoop of his hair, his face—that sharp chin, smooth neck—and suddenly flinched, jarred by how seeing him at a certain angle, in a certain light, sent her through a time portal. She raised her glass.
“Oh hey, give me that.” Chat grabbed her wine before she could take a sip. She froze, worried he was commenting on her drinking, but then he reached for a knife from the table. Holding her glass out in front of him, he fished a gnat from the side of the rim. Danika stared at him, the knife, back to him. She felt momentarily numb from his kindness.
“Gotta save room for dinner.” He wiped the knife and grinned, handing the glass back to her, their fingers brushing.
“So, are you headed to Hilton Head again this year?” Malcolm asked, pulling Danika back to the group. The men stood close to the firepit, the flames casting shadows across their khakis.
“Yes, sir, wouldn’t miss it,” Bill said. “End of August, as usual.”
Danika took a bitter sip as she watched the fire dance. As exhausted as visiting her in-laws made her, she did love their house in Hilton Head, their yearly end-of-summer trip. Bill’s family was reserved to the point of being dull, but this year, she couldn’t wait to show Chat the colorful row houses, the wide white beaches. He’d eat it up.
