Page 24 of All Tied Down

EMERSON: I’m sleeping with my husband

ISLA: As you should

EMERSON: Isla—I have a HUSBAND

ISLA: I know. I saw it online

ISLA: And then Oakey called

EMERSON: Why?

ISLA: Because we still share a brain and he needed to not strangle you

EMERSON: Fair but also he had it easy with us

ISLA: He did…until you blew up his life the second he got back from his wedding

EMERSON: It wasn’t my fault

EMERSON: We were supposed to just get an annulment

ISLA: Yeah but you married someone

ISLA: Willingly

EMERSON: I know

ISLA: So what’s the problem?

EMERSON: I just needed to tell someone

ISLA: Well, enjoy your orgasms…speaking of which I should find my husband

EMERSON: It’s the middle of the day…

ISLA: Hank would walk uphill both ways in a snowstorm

EMERSON: That’s dedication

ISLA: You have no idea

On second thought, maybe I do.

Now where is my husband…

10

GARRETT

My fingers tap against the table, and for the third time in as many minutes, Theo huffs before slamming his hand down, making me jump.

“You’re not listening.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t need you to be sorry; I just need you to listen,” he grumbles, but I can’t help it, the riff in my mind taking on a life of its own the longer we sit here.

“I know the fundraiser is coming up.”