Page 122 of The Sounds of Her

“I should be used to it by now,” she sighs, making the turn into the parking lot beneath my building. “I hate always feeling like we have to justify our every move.”

“There is more to this. What aren’t you saying?” I know her better than she thinks.

“I’m being stupid. None of it’s real.”

“The thing with Zosia?”

“Yeah. Nothing is going on. Those assholes are making shit up to sell their pictures and stories, but it’s hard. People are coming up to me asking what’s it like to have my new husband cheating on me already.”

“Oh hun.” I touch her hand as she sets the parking brake. “I thought you had it all figured out how to ignore those bastards.”

“I do, and I don’t believe any of it. It’s so tiresome.”

“Once the article comes out, maybe people will back down.”

“They still have more work to do on her album. Everyone is watching them like fucking hawks. I just want Adam to take time off. He’s tired. He needs a break, a real one where we can get away.”

“So let’s go upstairs and find a place for you to go. You need a proper honeymoon.”

She protests as we head for the elevator, saying she is busy at work, but I convince her it’s the right thing to do. For both of them.

After we eat, Jenna gets on my computer to see what she can find.

“Look at this,” she waves me back from the trash can where I am dropping the leftovers. “Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s in Quebec.”

“A cabin in the woods. How very Evil Dead.”

“Don’t say stuff like that,” she widens her eyes. “It’s not scary, it’s beautiful.”

“And cold,” I shudder.

“No, seriously, look at these pictures.”

I lean in, and I have to admit, it’s not exactly a cabin in the woods. It’s more like an architectural masterpiece, set amongst a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains and a beautiful forest. It has a hot tub, sauna, a garage and a private entrance.

“Imagine being cosied up by the fire, the snow falling outside. I can’t wait to show Adam.”

“Married in the tropical Seychelles and honeymooning in the freezing cold wilderness.”

“It’s perfect,” she smiles. “Have you seen Archer since he got back?”

“Great sidestep,” I sigh. “Yes, I’ve seen him last night and… this morning.”

“So soon after they got back?” she tries to sound casual. “You like him?”

“What’s not to like?” I shrug.

“Brooke,” she frowns. “It’s me. I won’t judge, I won’t tell anyone. If you need someone to talk about it with, I’m here for you.”

“Don’t make this a big deal, Jenna. Please.”

“I only want you to be happy,” she breathes.

“Yeah, I get that. I don’t need a man to make me happy.”

“No one needs a man to make them happy,” Jenna tells me sternly. “It’s a bonus when you have one that does,” she adds with a shrug. “Don’t fight it, if it’s what you both want. It might have started out arranged, that doesn’t mean it can’t develop.” She leans forward on my desk when I look anywhere but at her. “What are you hiding?”

There is no point lying to her, and I don’t want to. “We got together. For real.”

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