Page 101 of One Sweet Lie

“Well, I thought something was suspicious when we ran into you two at Central Park that day, but I didn’t tie it together until I talked to Sasha later. She seemed to be quite confused when I called her with ideas for her new billionaire-seeking-nanny book.”

“She threw me under the bus?”

“She rolled over you like roadkill and left you splattered in the street.”

“Such a traitor…” I laughed for the first time in weeks.

“I’m glad she exposed your lies. She called me crying this morning because she was extremely concerned about you.” She looked into my eyes. “I’ve told you time and time again that it’s better to tell the truth, Harlow.”

“I know.”

“Did the bath help you feel any better?”

“Only physically.”

“Well, that’s a start. I bought you something from home that might help you mentally.”

“If it’s not a time machine, I doubt it.”

“It’s better than a Time Machine.” She brushed a few stray hairs off my forehead. “Be right back.”

I rolled onto my back and waited for her to return.

“You have a choice between the afternoon or early evening session. Which one do you want?” She held up two tickets to Scared Straight Prison Tours.

“Please tell me those are expired.”

“I bought them before I drove here.” She smiled. “We’re heading there first thing in the morning.”

FIFTY

PIERCE

The following morning

Itucked a blanket around the twins, securing them in their stroller.

They stared at me in confusion, questioning the change in their Sunday morning routine.

“Nan-neeee,” William said.

“Hol-lowww,” Charlotte chimed in.

“No,” I said, stunned that they still called for ‘Hol-low’ every day. “Today’s walk through the park is just us and Olivia. No Harlow, and don’t ask me why. She’s not your friend anymore.”

William shook his Binky Bunny like he understood what I meant, like he was beyond furious.

“I don’t need your permission, son,” I said. “She’s not coming back.”

I pulled down their shade and looked at my watch.

Before I could tell Olivia to hurry, she jumped out of the car. She handed the twins matching cups and motioned for me to walk alongside her.

“Okay, so this week had so much drama that I don’t even know where to start,” she said. “You want the drama with my guy friends or the saga with my girlfriends first?”

I may not be cut out for this.

“I’ll start with the girls.” She chose for me, rattling off the drama like a professional reporter.

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