Page 100 of Look on the Bright Side

“You know, I…um…”

“Hello?” said Joy, leaning down to speak directly into the phone, her generous cleavage forcing Ellie to lean back. “Hi, this is Joy, Lark’s landlady and Ellie’s friend. I’d say I’m Lark’s other mother, but Ellie here would smack me.”

“Joy!” Anita cooed. “We’ve heard such lovely things about you.”

“Really? Thanks! Hey, why don’t you come to my house? I have a place on the water, and it’s huge. I’ve been dying to have a party. My brother and I used to host get-togethers all the time, and I’ve really missed that since he passed away.”

Shit. Ellie shook her head and made a slashing motion across her throat. Joy took the phone and turned away, smiling.

“That’s so generous, Joy. Silvio and I have been saying we want to come down to Wellfleet. It’s such a pretty town.”

“Joy,” Ellie whispered. “Not a good idea.”

“Then consider it done! However many Santinis can come should plan on Saturday at, oh, one o’clock? I’ll have Ellie here rally her kids, and we’ll have a wonderful time!”

“Lovely! Thank you so much, Joy!”

Ellie threw up her hands.

“I can’t wait to meet you all,” Joy said, beaming at the phone. “I’ll grab your number from Ellie’s phone, and we can talk tomorrow, how’s that?”

“Perfect! Looking forward to it.”

Joy clicked off and handed the phone back to Ellie. “A party! How fun!”

“Did you forget Lark’s not actually dating this guy?” Ellie asked. “Now we’ll all have to pretend they’re a couple.”

“I know, but the brother, right? Tell me you picked up on some chemistry there. The air was throbbing with, oh, gosh, what’s that word that means horniness?”

“Pheromones. The brother thinks they’re dating, too, Joy.”

“Oh. Right.” Joy put her hands on her hips. “Well, we can figure it out. Anyway, you should go, or you’ll be late. Should I wait up?”

“I…it’s your house, Joy.” She took a breath. You know what? This party was Lark’s problem. She’d warned her daughter not to be dishonest, and now the chickens were coming home to roost. “Thanks, Joy. For the makeup and…well, for being a wonderful friend.” She hugged the other woman. “Wish me luck.”

Because yes, she was about to meet her husband. Possibly her soon-to-be ex-husband. Who would now be invited to Joy’s house this weekend where they, like Lark and Lorenzo, would have to pretend to be a happy couple.

What goes around, comes around.

•••

Gerald stood up when he saw her. Wisely, he’d commandeered the most private table in the place—in the corner of the smaller dining area. Most patrons had chosen to sit out back, since it was a warm night.

“Hey,” he breathed. “Wow. You look…beautiful.”

“Thanks,” she said, taking her seat before he could hold it for her.

He did not look beautiful, and she was immediately gratified. He looked exhausted. Bags under his eyes, a little patch of gray stubble he’d missed shaving, a slightly musty smell around him. The smell of home, she realized. His hair seemed to have more gray in it.

“Chardonnay, please,” she said when the server came over to take their drink. Ah, it was Brianna, who’d gone to school with Robbie. “Hello, honey.”

“Mrs.Smith! Mr.Smith! How are you? Gosh, you guys look exactly the same. How’s Robbie?”

“He’s just fine,” Ellie said. “I’ll tell him you said hello. Can we order now, sweetheart? We have to discuss some family plans and need a little privacy, if that’s okay.”

“Of course!”

“I’ll have the risotto with scallops,” she said.

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