Page 30 of Secret Desire
“What’s going on?”
“It’s time,” Theo said, giving her a significant look.
“Oh hell. Okay, I’m coming too.”
The three of us burst into Ariel’s office, making her jump. Like me and Ashley, it was obvious that Ariel hadn’t been sleeping. I’d tried to talk to her earlier in the week and she blew me off, so there was no way I was making the first move again. I understood that we’d hurt her, but she was being ridiculous. I’d dated her sister, not embezzled all her money.
“We’re hashing this out. Now.” Theo said firmly as he closed the door behind us. “Grace and I are going to mediate.”
Ariel’s gaze swung to Grace. “You’re ganging up on me now too Gracie?”
Grace held up her hands. “I’m Switzerland here, but Theo’s right. We can’t go on like this. The three of us have been best friends since grade school and we’ve never once let anything get between us. I can’t stand being stuck in the middle between you two.”
To my surprise, Grace looked like she was about to cry. Grace was not a crier.
I patted her shoulder. “I’m sorry Grace, I never meant for you to be in the middle.”
“Me neither,” Ariel said, although her tone was sullen.
“Great, there’s one place where you agree,” Theo said. “Let’s go to the table.”
We all moved to the small round conference table on one side of the office, Ariel and I sitting across from each other. Theo grabbed a Wonder Woman figurine off Ariel’s shelf and put it in the center of the table. My friend had always been a huge Wonder Woman fan.
“This is what we’re going to do. No one talks unless they’re holding the Wonder Woman talking stick,” Theo instructed, pointing at the action figure.
“This is ridiculous,” Ariel protested.
Theo gave her a warning look, and she quieted down. I’d never seen the man look so intimidating before.
“Ariel you will start. Tell us – succinctly – how you feel using I statements. No accusations or assumptions. Maeve will listen without responding until it’s her turn, then she will tell you how she feels.”
He handed Wonder Woman to Ariel. “I reserve the right to take back Wonder Woman if you’re long talking or getting off track. Talk.”
Ariel paused so long that I thought she wouldn’t go along with Theo’s plan, but finally she started talking.
“You really hurt me, Maeve.”
Theo held up his hand. “Only I statements, remember?”
She shot a look at Grace who only shrugged, then Ariel spoke again.
“My feelings are hurt. I feel betrayed. We always had the kind of relationship where the three of us don’t keep secrets. We…I asked you about who your Secret Girlfriend was, and we… I assumed there was something wrong with her, but not that you were dating my little sister!”
She set down Wonder Woman and Theo slid the figurine over to me.
“I never wanted to hurt you Ariel, neither of us did. I didn’t set out to fall in love with Ashley, but the minute she walked into my office, I felt something I’ve never felt before,” I explained. “Neither of us was happy about keeping it a secret, but Ashley and I both thought maybe whatever was happening between us would burn itself out, so there was no sense rocking the boat. But it didn’t burn itself out, it just got stronger and stronger. I am sorry. I’m sorry we kept it a secret and I’m sorry for hurting you.”
My gaze swung to Grace. “I’m sorry to both of you. I just didn’t know how to tell you what was happening. We were trying to find a good time, I swear.”
“She’s seven years younger than you!” Ariel said.
Theo looked down meaningfully at the Wonder Woman, and I slid it towards my friend.
“She’s a baby,” Ariel added.
“She’s a grown woman,” I contradicted. “Smart. Capable. And with enough relationships under her belt to know what she wants. Same as me.”
We stared at each other for a long, pregnant moment.
