Page 17 of Sex, Lies, & Techy Guys (Love on the Sunshine Coast)

The numbness inside of me will eventually give way to depression. It’s all too familiar. When my husband Victor distanced himself from me, refusing to try to reconcile, I’d experienced the same shock, numbness, then darkness. The same scenario replayed itself when he filed for divorce. And even again when he managed to pull strings to move it along faster than normal as long as I didn’t contest it, which I couldn’t see any point in doing.

And when I thought I could start moving on, remaking my life, I’d gotten slapped with the claim that I’d stolen a crypto wallet. The rest remains to play out, but at least I know what a crypto wallet is now.

I shake it off and start the car. Victor made his decision loud and clear by ghosting me then dropping off the face of the planet, leaving me to fend for myself against billionaire Tony Albrecht.

To give me time to decompress or celebrate, Mila and I agreed to meet at our favorite bakery, so I head to The Carb Factory where I can enjoy immersing myself in the aromas of coffee and fresh baked pastries. Unfortunately, it’s not a celebration.

Mila’s smiling when she enters, but when she sees me, concern takes over. My poker face is weak.

“Oh no, Penny. Is it that bad?”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to dwell on it so I’ll give you the quick and dirty. I go to mediation in a few days and unless a miracle happens, there’s a very real chance that the only thing standing between me and jail will be the official trial. I don’t have enough money to hire the necessary experts that can clear my name.”

“No chance for a plea deal?”

“We’ve requested one but pleading guilty to something I didn’t do makes me want to barf. It sucks to work so hard for a buck when this dude who’s accusing me generates money by breathing.”

“That’s a shit place to be in, but let me go place our order. This one’s on me.” Mila goes to the counter and orders a cheese Danish for me, strawberry for her, and brings them back to the table.

I don’t argue about her paying. I’m defeated. I’m also spent because every time I move in my seat, I’m reminded about last night. At least I got to live that dream before being locked up. The crinkle of the paper bags plopping on the table and the screech of the metal legs of Mila’s seat across the concrete flooring pull my attention back to the table.

Mila says, “Wow, you went from looking like you were already convicted to looking like you found a happy place.” She grips both of my hands.

“Guess I should work on not wearing my emotions on my sleeve.”

“Nah, I like how genuine you are. Now explain that happy place because the only stuff you said so far is grim.”

“It’s nothing.”

“That’s clearly a lie since you were pondering jail time when I left the table.”

“It’s too embarrassing.”

Mila looks around. “We’re at the corner table and no one else is here. Besides, I might need to remind you about whatever that was if this case goes to trial.”

“You’ll judge me.”

“When have I judged you?”

“You haven’t, but you would judge me on this.”

“You’re killing me. You are absolutely killing me. Just tell me and if I judge you, I’ll sneak cigarettes into the prison for you.” The thought of her sticking with me, no matter what, is comforting.

“Thanks but I don’t smoke if you didn’t notice.”

“Yeah, but I hear they’re great for bartering.” Her offer cracks me up. If nothing else, I want to tell her about Kyle and Lance to document that it really happened.

“Fair enough. You’ll be my contraband provider.”

She grins proudly and opens her bag.

I lean forward so I can whisper even though no one else is within earshot. “I had a threesome.”

She’s pulling her Danish out of the bag and drops it on the table. In a fluster, she knocks it to the floor, fruit side down. Dismissing the ruined snack, her hands are gripping mine again. “You did what?”

“Two guys at once.” I grimace and decide not to offer more details.

Her mouth hangs open as she breathes and processes. “Okay, when I said it wouldn’t hurt you to start dating since you’ve been divorced for a year, a threesome never crossed my mind. Wow.”

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