Page 84 of Am I the Only One

“Lie, for heaven’s sake! Christ, tell him you used the money to make a charitable donation,” she exclaims in annoyance. “But the first thing you need to do is get yourself under control and smarten up because I can’t be tangled up in this. There’s too much on the line for me. You can’t continue involving me in all the mishaps you keep making for yourself.”

I run my hands under my eyes and dry my tears, surprised that she would say such a thing when she’s always been there for me—when she was the one nudging me into this ordeal. The anger is real, but it’s misplaced, and even though I’m still stoned, I’m sober enough to realize it. She’s right, I shouldn’t be dragging her into this when she and her husband are in the public eye as well.

Turning in my chair, I see Margot leaning over my desk. “What are you doing?”

“Is this the client?” she questions as she flips through the file. “Luca Sadler?”

I nod. “Yes, why?”

“Just wondering if there’s anything you could use against him,” she murmurs as she keeps her eyes on the file. “He’s obviously close to the girl ... what’s her name again?”

Trying to keep myself composed, I wipe away another tear, responding, “Emma Ashford.”

“It says he attends Georgetown. She does as well?”

“She did, but she lost her scholarship. Why?”

She shrugs off my question, closes the file, and leans her hip against the desk. “Maybe you should just go home and get some sleep. You’re a disaster. Tomorrow morning when your head is clear, you need to call her. I don’t think anything should happen tonight.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because I’m good at reading people, which is something you should take more of an interest in instead of always acting so hastily.” She rounds the desk and picks up one of the cushions from the floor and tosses it back on the couch. “You said you’ve been seeing him for a couple weeks, correct?”

“Yes.”

“So, clearly, the two of them aren’t as rash as you. They thought this out. If I had to bet money on it, I would say that they will move cautiously and strike when it will hurt the most.”

Her words only feed my worry.

“I mean, think about it. This girl, Emma, is caught up in this too. Whatever it is they’re planning to do with the photos, they will likely do everything in their power to keep her name out of it. Surely, she isn’t stupid enough to risk exposing herself as Tripp’s mistress.”

“No, you’re right. She told me that she’s terrified of this getting out to the media.”

“Well, there you go,” she says, tossing another cushion onto the couch. “They’re going to be meticulous, which works in your favor because that buys you time to figure out how to shut her down.”

She continues to move about the room, straightening things here and there before picking up the card that was with the flowers. She reads it, and after a long pause, looks up at me. “What’s this all about?”

“Nothing. Just my cheating husband doing his best to pull the wool over my eyes, as if he isn’t sleeping around.”

Her brows lift, and with a shrug, she flicks the card, sending it back to the floor.

“Your life is a monstrosity.” She crushes a rose under her stiletto before resuming her spot in the chair next to mine. With a gentler tone, she adds, “Look, you’re a dear friend, you know that, right?”

I nod.

“And I’ve always been here for you in any way you’ve needed me, but, like I said, I can no longer be involved in this. I’m so sorry, but it’s just too risky. I hope you understand.”

“Of course, I understand. I never should have asked you to put yourself on the line for me.”

“I also think it would best if we stayed in our own corners for a while, at least until this passes.”

She’s right in wanting to distance herself from this catastrophe because, if I go down in flames for this, I certainly don’t want to bring her or her husband down with me

“I’m sorry,” she adds when I don’t immediately respond.

“Everything has gotten so out of hand.”

“Are you going to tell Tripp?”

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