“I asked my man about the divorce.”
“And?”
“He got annoyed! Said I was pressuring him!”
My stomach tightened.
“But he apologized,” Julian continued. “He promised to explain everything Saturday.”
“Are you still going?”
“Yes.”
“He got annoyed!”
Then, his voice softened. “Do you think I’m someone’s dirty little secret?”
I swallowed. “I think you deserve the truth.”
He sighed. “Well, he’d better have an excellent explanation.”
After we hung up, I called Taylor.
I swallowed.
She’d made her decision.
We were going to Bellamy’s, and her younger sister, Denise, was coming along to support.
I reminded her she could change her mind.
“I won’t,” she said.
Saturday evening, Taylor wore a black dress and sported the red nails I’d done that afternoon.
She’d made her decision.
Her hands shook as Denise drove us to the restaurant.
“I feel ridiculous,” Taylor whispered.
“Why?”
“Because part of me still hopes there’s an explanation.”
I squeezed her hand. “Then, we’ll find out.”
“I feel ridiculous.”
We arrived shortly after eight.
Through the entrance, I spotted Danny sitting with Julian in a corner booth.
Julian wore a green jacket.
Danny was laughing.
He looked happier than Taylor had seen him in months!
I spotted Danny.
We stood near a decorative partition while Taylor decided whether to approach.
Then Julian reached across the table.
Danny took his hand.
Taylor tightened her grip on mine. “Oh, God,” she whispered.
“We can leave,” I said.
She shook her head.
“We can leave.”
Julian leaned forward.
Danny smiled.
Then he kissed him!
Not a quick peck.
A real kiss!
Taylor inhaled sharply.
For a moment, I thought she’d turn away.
Instead, she straightened her shoulders and suddenly walked toward their table!
He kissed him!
Denise and I followed.
Danny looked up. His face went pale. “Taylor?”
She smiled. “Happy anniversary, darling!”
Her husband jerked backward, knocking his water glass into his lap.
Julian jumped. “Oh, honey! Your pants!”
His face went pale.
Then he focused on Taylor. “Wait. Who are you?”
Taylor looked him in the eye. “I’m Danny’s wife.”
Julian blinked.
Then he laughed nervously and looked at Danny.
Taylor folded her arms. “Did Danny tell you we were separated?”
“Who are you?”
“Yes,” Julian uttered.
“And getting divorced?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. Because until tonight, I thought we were trying to save our marriage.”
Julian stopped smiling.
He turned toward Danny. “Excuse me?”
Julian stopped smiling.
Danny opened his mouth, then closed it.
Julian looked back at Taylor. “You really don’t know about the divorce?”
“There is no divorce.”
Julian’s jaw dropped.
Taylor added, “And apparently, I’m his expensive roommate.”
“You really don’t know?”
Julian stared at Danny. “You told me she agreed!”
“Julian, please,” Danny whispered.
“Oh, don’t ‘Julian, please’ me! I asked you yesterday!”
Taylor’s husband glanced around at the people staring. “Can we discuss this privately?”
“I asked you yesterday!”
Taylor gave a bitter laugh. “You’ve had plenty of private time.”
Julian stood. “Let me understand something.” He pointed toward Taylor. “You told me this woman stopped loving you.”
Danny said nothing.
“You told me she knew about us!”
Still nothing.
Danny said nothing.
Julian planted his hands on his hips. “Sir, I thought I was dating a man with an unfinished divorce. Are you telling me I’ve been dating a man without a conscience?”
Denise made a choking noise.
I pressed my lips together.
Danny rubbed his forehead. “It’s complicated.”
I pressed my lips together.
Julian gasped. “Complicated?! Honey, assembling furniture is complicated! You invented an entire divorce!”
Taylor jumped in. “Danny, I don’t care that you’re attracted to men. I care that you lied to me.”
Danny lowered his head. “I was scared.”
“Of what?”
“Losing everything.”
“I was scared.”
Taylor nodded slowly. “So you decided losing our marriage was better?”
Danny couldn’t answer.
Just then, the manager came over and asked us to leave.
Outside, Julian burst into tears after Danny left. “I’m so sorry,” he told Taylor.
She shook her head. “You didn’t know.”
Taylor nodded slowly.
“I knew he was married! But he swore you were separated! I asked him so many times!”
He showed her messages in which Danny repeatedly promised a divorce.
Taylor read them silently.
