Page 38 of One Last Time
She looks back to me and touches my arm. “I’m so sorry to hear about the divorce. Scott told me a few months ago, and I was so sad for you guys. I thought about calling you, but that would be reallyawkward.”
“Yes, awkward would be a goodword.”
It must be awkward for a woman to come face to face with the wife of the man she’s been vying to sleepwith.
Scott may have treated me like shit, but Jillian walks on water. I’d listen to him constantly praising how she anticipates his needs and ensures his life is in order since I constantly missed things. In his eyes, the woman is perfect. I don’t think for one second she’s sad. Now she doesn’t have to hide that she wants to sleep with him, if she isn’talready.
“I just mean with all ourhistory.”
“Yeah, it’s been tough, but the kids and I are moving on and arehappy.”
Jillian nods. “I’m glad. He’s holding up well. I’m taking care of everything and making sure the weekends he has the kids are clear. I’ll keep him inline.”
Oh, I bet shewill.
“Thanks, I’m sure the kids will appreciate their father’s secretary making sure to pencil them into his schedule,” I say and look back to Noah. “I’d love to catch up, but I should get back to mymeeting.”
“Yes, of course, sorry to have taken so much of your time. My friends and I are heading to another bar . . .” She looks at Noah with a coy smile. “Anyway, I should get back, but maybe I’ll see youaround?”
“Sure.” I plaster a smile on. “It was great seeingyou.”
Lie.
“Oh, I’m sure we’ll see each other again.” Jillian fake hugs me again, waves to Noah, and walksoff.
I watch her head back to the table, where she points to us and giggles. Her friends all move around, trying to get a peek atus.
“How do you handle that?” I ask Noah, looking back over my shoulder atthem.
“Thestares?”
“It’sinvasive.”
Noah grips the back of his neck. “Are we back on therecord?”
Crap, theinterview.
“No, I wouldnever. . .”
“Let me say this, and then we’ll get back to the interview.” Noah reaches as if he wants to touch me, but then rethinks it and picks up his drink instead. “The stares are part of my life. I accepted it when I went into acting and live with it because, if they’re not staring, then I’m irrelevant. But more important, you’re ten times more beautiful than she is.” He lifts his chin toward Jillian’stable.
Confusion fills me with his statement. It came out of nowhere. “What?”
“I saw the way you looked at her, and I’m telling you if your husband ever touched her, he downgraded. You’re by far the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and he’s a fool. Now, we’re back on the record.” He grabs the recorder and turns it backon.
“I-I—” I don’t know what to say. “You. . .”
Noah slips back into work mode. I see the difference in his eyes, but I can’t find my own bearings. He was able to see in just a moment what I thought and felt, then he said something that would comfort me. Who is this guy? Surely he can’t be thisperfect.
He probably has a smalldick.
If my drunken memory is correct, I already know hedoesn’t.
Still, he has to be overcompensating forsomething.
“You’resure you want to go for a walk?” Noah asksagain.
“Yeah, I haven’t been here inforever.”
