Liv Constantine - The Last Mrs. Parrish

“Thanks. I went to one of those makeup places at Saks and they helped me. I couldn’t go to work in a fancy New York office looking like a country mouse.”

Please, that was a Red Door makeover if I ever saw one. I wondered where she’d gotten the money. “Well, you look wonderful.”

After browsing a bit, we went across the street to a café for lunch.

“So how are things going? Still loving the job?” I asked.

“Yes. I’m learning so much. And I really appreciate Jackson giving me the chance to fill Battley’s shoes. I know it wasn’t easy for him, after working with her for so many years.”

I had to hand it to her, she gave nothing away. I don’t know how she did it, but when Jackson came home a few short months after Amber had started and told me that Battley had resigned, I’d suspected she’d had a hand in it. “She was a gem. So loyal. Jackson didn’t really tell me why she decided to retire early. Do you have any idea?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Well, she was up there in age, Daph. I think she was really more tired and taxed than she let on. I had to cover for her more than once.” She leaned in toward me conspiratorially. “I probably saved her getting fired on a few occasions when she deleted an important meeting from Jackson’s calendar. Luckily I caught it in time and fixed it.”

“How lucky for her.”

“Well, I guess she realized it was time. I think she was ready to have more time for her grandkids too.”

“I’m sure — but enough about work. What’s going on with your personal life? Any cute guys at the office?”

She shook her head. “Not really. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever meet someone.”

“Have you considered a dating service?”

“No. I’m not really one for those kinds of things. I’m a big believer in fate.”

Sure she was. “I get it. You want the old-fashioned boy-meets-girl story.”

She smiled. “Yes. Like you and Jackson. The perfect couple.”

I gave a small laugh. “Nothing’s perfect.”

“The two of you sure make marriage seem easy. He looks at you like you’re still on your honeymoon.”

I had my opening to make her think there was trouble in paradise. “Not lately. We haven’t had sex in two weeks.” I cast my eyes downward. “Sorry — I hope you don’t mind my talking about this.”

“Of course not, that’s what friends are for.” She twirled the straw in her iced tea. “I’m sure he’s just tired, Daph. It’s been crazy at work.”

I sighed. “If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell a soul?”

She leaned in closer. “Of course.”

“He cheated on me before.”

I saw the delight in her eyes before she was able to disguise it.

“You’re kidding? When?”

“Right after Bella was born. I still had some extra weight, and I was tired all the time. There was this client — she was young and pretty and hung on his every word. I had met her at a social function, and from the way she looked at him, I knew she was trouble.”

She licked her lips. “How did you find out?”

Now I was just making it up as I went along. “I found her panties in the apartment.”

“Are you kidding? He took her to your place in New York?”

“Yes. I think she left them deliberately. When I confronted him, he fell apart. Begged my forgiveness. Told me that he’d just felt so ignored with all the time I spent with the new baby, and she’d flattered him so much. He admitted that her adoration was just too hard to resist.”

“Wow. That must have been so hard for you. But at least you bounced back. The two of you seem very happy. And you have to give it to him for not lying.”

I could see the wheels turning in her mind. “I think he did feel bad. He swore it would never happen again. But now I’m seeing some of the same signs I did back then. He’s working late all the time, not initiating sex, seems distracted. I think there must be someone else.”

“I haven’t seen anything suspicious at the office.”

“There’s no one there that seems to be hanging around him more than usual?”

She shook her head. “Not that I can think of. I’ll keep an eye on him for you, though, and let you know if I think there’s anything you have to worry about.”

I knew she’d keep an eye on him — and maybe more than that. “Thanks, Amber. I feel so much better knowing you’re there looking out for me.”

She put her hand on mine and gave me a steady look. “I would do anything for you. We have to stick together. Soul sisters, right?”

I squeezed her hand back and smiled. “Right.”

It was easy to arrange. He had been looking forward to seeing Hamlet , and I knew he wouldn’t want to waste the valuable second ticket. Bella wasn’t really sick, but I purposely bowed out of the show, hoping he’d invite Amber. He was furious that I’d missed it. My phone rang that night at midnight.

“Don’t you ever do that again; you hear me?”

“Jackson, what’s wrong?”

“I wanted you with me tonight. I had plans for you after the play.”

“Bella needed me.”

“ I needed you. The next time you break plans with me, there’ll be serious consequences. You got it?”

Apparently Amber had no idea about his bad mood. She called me the next morning with just the right things to say.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Daph, it’s me.”

“Hey. How was the play?”

Rustling papers on her end. “Amazing. My first Broadway play. I was in awe the whole time.”

Her Pollyanna act was getting old.

“I’m glad. So what’s up?”

“Oh, well, I just wanted to let you know that by the time we got out, it was late, and so we stayed at the apartment.”

“Oh?” I made my voice sound appropriately on guard.

“Jackson insisted that it was silly for me to go all the way home when I had to be back so early in the morning. I took the sheets off the guest room bed and put them in the laundry room so the housekeeper would know they needed to be changed.”

Clever of her. She couldn’t come out and state that she’d stayed in the guest room, or she’d be implying that there was a chance she’d slept with my husband, but she was letting me know that nothing had happened.

“That was thoughtful. Thanks.”

“And I borrowed your red Armani suit, the one with the gold buttons. I hope you don’t mind. I obviously hadn’t brought a change of clothes.”

I tried to figure out how I would feel if I still thought she was my friend. Would I have minded?

“Of course not. I bet it looks great on you. You should keep it.” Let her see that it meant nothing to me, that Jackson’s wife had so much, I could afford to give her my castoffs as if they were no more significant than a pair of gloves. A sharp intake of breath came over the line.

“I couldn’t. It’s a two-thousand-dollar suit.”

Did I detect just the slightest bit of reproach in her voice? I forced a laugh. “Did you google it?”

A long moment of silence. “Um, no. Daphne, are you angry? I think I’ve upset you. I knew I shouldn’t have gone. I just—”

“Come on, I’m just teasing. I’m glad you went. Got me off the hook. Don’t tell Jackson, but I find Shakespeare a bore.” That wasn’t true, but I knew she’d use that bit of misinformation to her advantage. “I mean it about the suit. Please, I want you to have it. I have more than I can wear. What are friends for?”

“I guess, if you’re sure. Listen, I’ve got to run. Jackson needs me.”

“Sure. Before you go, are you free this Saturday? We’re having a few friends over for a dinner party, and I would love it if you’d come. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”