Page 93 of Married With Lies

But before I can put this thought into action my eyes fall shut. I’ll just rest for a minute. Then I’ll make the coffee and wait for Cale.

That’s the last thing I remember until morning.

26

SADIE

Somewhere between the mud bath, the soak in the hot springs and the deep tissue massage, I arrive at the conclusion that I need a new plan.

My time with Cale is short. Some boldness is in order to make the most of it. These are modern times. There’s no reason why I can’t take the initiative.

The chemistry between us isn’t my imagination. Our relationship just took an unusual trajectory. That’s all. Most people have at least a few dates before they go exchange vows but tradition isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I had the traditional relationship once. Look how well that turned out.

Cale and I can iron out the details later. Right now I just want to be with him.

One of the great disappointments of my life happened when I woke up this morning with a slight hangover and realized the night was over. I had fallen asleep before Cale returned.

Worse, he was already awake and dressed. He was also the middle of leaving me a note to say he’d be behind closed doors with Richie all day. When I asked if there was anything to worry about, he shook his head and frowned at a newly arrived text on his phone.

Cale was so distracted he didn’t even notice the way I deliberately let the strap of my nighty fall down my shoulder. Before he left he threw his black Amex card down and told me to go have fun with it. Then he hurried out the door before I could scramble out of bed and convince him to stay.

However, I didn’t have time to mope for long because Kiki showed up to collect me for breakfast. She simply shrugged when I asked her why the men were being so mysterious.

“There’s always something happening,” she said with good cheer. “It can’t be that big of a deal.” Then she asked if she could try a bite of my waffles.

Kiki’s words weren’t at all reassuring. I’m left with the uneasy reminder that Cale is part of a world he’ll never be able to share with me. While hopping from one spa activity to another, I’ve had plenty of time to observe the wives of Richie’s entourage. Kiki and Donna and the rest of them aren’t even slightly bothered by whatever might be going on. They are used to being kept out of the loop and do not care. They’re content to gossip in their plush spa robes and pretend all is well.

Fascinating. And more than a little jarring.

In mid afternoon Cale sends a text to check in and let me know we’re expected to show up for another group dinner. I hold my breath when I type out a reply.

What are the plans after dinner?

An agonizing eternity passes in the ten seconds it takes him to answer.

Whatever you want.

BOOM! I nearly fall off the massage table with excitement.

This is destined to be our night. No food poisoning or grumpy mob bosses will get in our way.

But as I conduct a mental inventory of my packed wardrobe, it all seems inadequate. My best dress was the one I wore yesterday. I could wear it again but Cale’s jaw likely won’t drop. What I need is something that will make his jaw drop.

“Kiki,” I say to the massage table on my left. “Can you please help me with something?”

She listens and her eyes light up. “Have you seen the boutique by the main building lobby? No matter, I was there yesterday. They have exactly what you’re looking for. Oh, and you’ll need full hair and makeup. I have to get my roots done anyway.” She snaps her fingers at an attendant arriving with a bunch of towels. “My friend and I need to be squeezed in at the salon. It’s an emergency.”

The woman looks doubtful. Kiki grabs her bag and withdraws a handful of hundred dollar bills. “Work miracles,” she says and seems to consider the matter settled when the staff member runs off with the cash. She sits up on the table with a white towel barely covering her huge breasts and gives me a naughty smile. “Working on Donna’s grandkids tonight, huh?”

I sit up on my elbows and speak the truth. “I want to give Cale Connelly a night to remember.”

She claps her hands with delight and the towel falls, giving me more of a view of Kiki than I ever wanted to see. “I swear on the life of my eldest daughter we will Pretty Woman the hell out of you.”

Kiki sure does keep her word. How fortunate for her eldest daughter. I’m barely recognizable. The dress is silky and black with daring slits all the way up both sides. Due to the plunging neckline and spaghetti straps, a bra is impossible. Because the dress is long and because I’m short I’m wearing very high strappy heels that I can barely walk in. This is a little nerve wracking but I’m willing to take the risk.

Also, I have new respect for makeup artists. The one in the salon worked a miracle. I had no clue makeup could be so transformative. As for my hair, it was decided to just trim the ends and straighten the curls. The effect is dramatic. The look is capped off by stacked gold necklaces chosen by Kiki and a pair of oversized gold hoop earrings.

Everyone else is already in the dining room. Kiki has planned for us to arrive last.

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