Page 99 of Golden Girl
Willa and Carson use the “secret” bathroom on the second floor, across from the Commodore Room, which is for private functions only. This was at Willa’s suggestion.
“I have something to tell you,” she says. “But you can’t repeat it.”
“You’re in luck,” Carson says. “I have no friends and barely any acquaintances.” Normally, Carson would guess that Willa is pregnant, but she ordered wine at dinner, so that’s not it. “Does it have something to do with Brett Caspian?” Carson asks. “Because he said on TV that he’s been in touch with ‘Vivi’s family,’ except it wasn’t me and we both know it wasn’t Leo.”
“I told you I heard from this guy,” Willa says.
“You didn’t.”
“I sent a group text to you and Leo telling you about the segment. You didn’t respond.”
That’s right,Carson thinks. She saw the group text come in from Willa and deleted it without reading it. “I’ve had a rough couple of weeks.”
“Why?” Willa says. “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Just tell me, Carson. I know I’ve been self-absorbed—”
“Yes, you have been, but that’s okay.”
“What happened?” Willa reaches out and touches Carson’s hair. She used a curling iron tonight and her hair falls in long barrel curls; it looks very extra. Willa can’t believe she made such an effort for Lucinda’s birthday. And what is up with her drinking ginger ale? “You can tell me.”
Carson wishes that were true. She’s always wanted Willa to be the kind of big sister she could confide in and conspire with. But Willa is sanctimonious and judgmental. She thinks she’s better than Carson, morally. And, okay, maybe sheis,but she doesn’t have any compassion for people who are flawed.
“You broughtmeup here to tellmesomething,” Carson says. It’s nice being sober and having a clear head. “I’m ready.”
Willa takes a breath. “Okay.” She glances at the door and lowers her voice to a whisper. “Pamela thinks Zach is having an affair.”
Carson gasps—which is good because Willa interprets this asCarson is shocked because this is such juicy and unexpected gossiprather thanCarson is shocked because she’s been caught, or nearly.Carson wonders if this has anything to do with the night last week when she and Zach had sex in the Bridgemans’ living room. Carson won’t lie; she was so deeply spooked that she hasn’t had a drink since that night and she hasn’t contacted Zach at all.
“I know, right?” Willa says. Her eyes shine with prurient excitement.
Carson wants to be careful about how she proceeds. “He doesn’t seem like the cheating type, does he?”
“No!” Willa says. “But Pamela is so…”
Bitchy,Carson thinks.Controlling. Unpleasant.“Merciless?” Carson says. “She clearly enjoyed beating the crap out of him at tennis.”
Willa rolls her eyes.
“Does she think she knows who it is?” Carson asks lightly. “Any leads?”
“Not yet,” Willa says. “She can’t access his phone records because it’s issued through ATC. But she texted me this morning to say she needs to talk to me ASAP, so there might be a new development.”
Carson feels like she’s riding a mechanical bull at the moment before she gets flung to the ground. “Well, it’s nice that she’s made you her confidante.”
Willa laughs, then disappears into one of the stalls. “It is nice,” she says. “Twisted, but nice.”
Willa, Carson, and Leo all return to the table just in time for cake—a yellow cake with chocolate frosting, yellow sugar roses, andHappy Birthday, Lucywritten in the middle.
Lucy?Willa thinks. Penny Rosen must have been the one to talk to the pastry chef.
Lucinda blows out the candles, then winks at JP and Savannah. “You’ll never guess what I wished for.”
“Mother, please,” JP says.
Willa and Rip are the first to leave; Willa is tired—quelle surprise—she likes to be in bed by nine and it’s an hour past that. Leo and Marissa leave next; Marissa is mopey and barely manages to say thank you and goodbye. JP and Savannah wait ten minutes before they excuse themselves. Are they leaving together? Carson suspects their relationship is platonic; they probably sit around and talk about how much they miss Vivi.
