Page 87 of Little Empty Promises

“And your mother … she saved the day, didn’t she?”

I laughed.“She’s still talking about it to anyone who will listen.”

“She said she reached out to the two ladies you work with, after you left her house, and they knew you were going to talk to Octavia.”

I nodded.“It was then she put it all together.”

“I’m sure Cordelia’s sister is relieved to know what happened.”

“Claudette is an interesting woman.She went from refusing to make amends with her sister to deciding to move into Cordelia’s house.She believes being there will make a difference somehow.”

“I’m not sure I’m thrilled to have her as a neighbor, but time will tell.”

“Tell me, how are things with you and Seth?”

She crossed her arms.“I don’t know what you said to him, but ever since he talked to you that night he went to your house, he’s been a different person.A kinder, happier person.He’s even in therapy, which I never thought he would agree to do, and he’s taking steps in the right direction.Baby steps, but steps all the same, to improve our marriage.”

“I see you’re wearing your wedding ring.”She hadn’t been when we first spoke all those weeks ago.“How are you feeling about it all?Is this what you want?”

“I thought I wanted out of the relationship, but I didn’t.I was lying to myself.What I want is a version of him that’s more supportive of me and what I need from a partner.”

“Do you feel that you’re getting that now?”

“In many ways, yes.I can tell it’s a little hard on him.He’s pushing himself out of his comfort zone for me.I’m learning to be patient and how to help and support him during this time of change.”

I smiled.“I’m glad the two of you are getting things back on track.”

“What about you?Your mom says you’re planning a wedding?How exciting.”

“Next year, in August.We’ve known each other for a long time, since college.It’s taken a while to get us here, but I’m so glad we’re in the right place at the right time now.”

“I love a good love story.”She stood, thanking me again for being the bridge back to her marriage, even though I didn’t feel I’d done as much as she believed I had.We said our goodbyes, and she left the office.As soon as the door closed, it opened again.I looked up, assuming it was Giovanni, picking me up for our lunch date.

I was wrong.

“I’ve been meaning to stop by for weeks now,” Benjamin said.

“Why?”

“I wanted to congratulate you on solving Cordelia’s murder.”

“If you and Octavia hadn’t fooled around that day, Cordelia would still be alive.Perhaps you should wipe that smug smile off your face when you’re talking to me about an innocent dead woman who was my mother’s friend.”

“I didn’t mean to say it in a celebratory way.I’m sorry.”

I’d grown tired of his apologies, and of him.

“You’ve said what you came to say,” I said.

“Not all of it.I didn’t know about Octavia’s plan to have Cordelia murdered.”

“I know.She said as much when she confessed.”

“I guess what I want to say is, I know what I did was wrong.I justified it at the time because I’m not married.”

“But you knew she was, and she was your opponent on top of it all.”

“You’re right.I … I wasn’t sure if you heard the news.”

---