Page 169 of Movers and Shakers

“So, Lila Wilde called.”

“Why do you look so upset about that?” Tom asked. “I thought you liked her.”

“Oh, I do. But I’m also not an idiot.”

“I’m not cheating on Rose with her,” I said before she could finish.

“Why would Barry see two people?” Tom asked. “He’s not that kind of guy. If you’re still thinking he’s—‍”

“Oh, he’s seeing both Lila and Rose—‍”

“Ruth,” I hissed, shaking my head. How the fuck did I convince her that I wasn’t a scumbag?

“Let me finish,” she snapped. “He’s seeing them both because they’re the same fucking person.”

Oh.

Fuck.

I thought I’d thrown Ruth off the trail well enough to where she wouldn’t pick up on any similarities.

Obviously not.

Time ticked by, the seconds agonizing.

“I figured it out when Lila called me,” Ruth said, leaning back in her chair. “I knew there was something off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. The second she spoke, I was thinking about how much she sounded like Rose, just with a projected voice. Then I asked if Rose was coming to the concert, and she stuttered out some excuse about how Rose will be busyworking.Which,duh.She’s onstage. How did I not see it when I met the two of them? They lookexactlyalike.”

Goddammit.

“I knew Barry wasn’t cheating, but I couldn’t deny that he looked at both of them like they were the moon and stars. It’s the only explanation.”

“That seems far-fetched,” Tom began.

“Okay then.” She looked at me. “Barry, tell me I’m wrong.”

“You’re wrong.” I managed to strangle it out.

“Sound a little more sincere next time.”

Was there any way to deny anything to Ruth once she had it figured out?

I knew the answer.No.

“Did you have to bring Tom here for this too?” I asked instead.

“Honestly, yes. Because I was thinking about strangling you for lying to me.”

“It’s not my secret to tell.”

“Wait,” Tom said, looking in between us like he was watching a tennis match. “They reallyarethe same person?”

“Yes,” I said lowly.

“How?”

“Wigs, Tom.” Ruth rolled her eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Butwhois wearing the wig?”

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