Page 42 of Marrying Off My Husband

Her laughter filled the room, inviting me to share some of my own more subdued memories. During those moments of exchanging vulnerabilities, I’d begun to understand the depth of our burgeoning friendship.

Louise had a talent for coaxing me out of my shell, gently nudging me into experiences that made me uncomfortable but exhilarating, like massages or dates.

My eyebrows pinched together. What had she said about Spencer? Her words echoed in my mind.

“He’s cute, right?”

The way she said it, the sparkle in her eyes…did Louise think he was cute?

And she’s been interested in knowing everything about how far things went. Was she pumping me for information to monitor whether or not we were hitting it off?

“Of course, she is,” I murmured, “she insisted we date.”

I sighed. “But why?”

Had she thought we wouldn’t hit it off and Spencer would return to her?

“He’s so sweet and thoughtful,” she’d said.

It certainly sounded like she was interested. And Spencer wasn’t interested in a real relationship.

I leaned back, rocking my chair with a squeak. “Eve, you are an idiot.”

On top of agreeing to date someone’s husband, I’d also agreed to go to Savannah with them. I slapped a palm against my forehead before I collected my cup to refresh it. “Why do you do these things to yourself?”

I’d agreed to go with Louise after her mother had called. She told me the sad story of hating to return home, especially alone, and I’d stupidly said I’d go.

I rolled my eyes at myself as I filled the tea kettle with water and set it on the stove. With my fingers drumming on my forearm, I tried to come up with an excuse to get out of this trip to Savannah.

Before the kettle could scream at me, a knock interrupted my thoughts. I shuffled toward the door, not ready to talk to Louise who I was certain was on the other side, ready to drag me out for a day of shopping.

She’d already told me her mother was a snob, and we’d have to update my wardrobe before we went to Savannah next weekend. The conversation flitted through my mind as I crossed my apartment.

“Now, darlin’, don’t start packing yet because we’re going to need to buy you some clothes for this trip.”

“Lou, you can’t keep buying me things. The clothes I have are fine.”

She arched an eyebrow at me. “My mama is the biggest snob in the world. And, darlin’, your clothes are just as plain as unsweetened tea at a Sunday picnic.” She pressed a hand to her heart. “And I say that with only love in my heart. But my mama is going to just use that to make you uncomfortable. Now trust me on this.”

I clicked my tongue at her. “I don’t mind if your mother thinks I’m…poor.”

“It’s not that. She won’t just think you’re poor…she’ll use it to belittle you, to make you feel substandardandto discount any opinions you have. Now, I’m just not willing to put you through that.”

I pressed my lips together as I realized why I’d agreed to go with Louise. Her mother sounded like a real piece of work.

I pulled the door open, opening my mouth to greet my friend when I clamped my jaw shut.

“Not who you expected?” Audrey asked, pushing past me as my kettle started to whistle.

“Uh, no,” I answered with a chuckle as I swung the door shut and skirted around her. “Do you want some tea?”

“I guess,” she said with a sigh as she slogged into the kitchen behind me.

I grabbed another mug from the cupboard and dumped a teabag in it before I poured the steaming water into it and refreshed the water in my own cup.

With them both delivered to my little table, I slid into the seat across from Audrey. “What’s up? You seem…sad.”

“I’m not sad, I’m annoyed,” Audrey said, bobbing the teabag in the water.

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