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After browsing a bit, we went across the street to a café for lunch.
“So how are things going? Still loving the job?” I asked.
“Yes. I’m learning so much. And I really appreciate Jackson giving me the chance to fill Battley’s shoes. I know it wasn’t easy for him, after working with her for so many years.”
I had to hand it to her, she gave nothing away. I don’t know how she did it, but when Jackson came home a few short months after Amber had started and told me that Battley had resigned, I’d suspected she’d had a hand in it. “She was a gem. So loyal. Jackson didn’t really tell me why she decided to retire early. Do you have any idea?”
She raised her eyebrows. “Well, she was up there in age, Daph. I think she was really more tired and taxed than she let on. I had to cover for her more than once.” She leaned in toward me conspiratorially. “I probably saved her getting fired on a few occasions when she deleted an important meeting from Jackson’s calendar. Luckily I caught it in time and fixed it.”
“How lucky for her.”
“Well, I guess she realized it was time. I think she was ready to have more time for her grandkids too.”
“I’m sure—but enough about work. What’s going on with your personal life? Any cute guys at the office?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever meet someone.”
“Have you considered a dating service?”
“No. I’m not really one for those kinds of things. I’m a big believer in fate.”
Sure she was.“I get it. You want the old-fashioned boy-meets-girl story.”
She smiled. “Yes. Like you and Jackson. The perfect couple.”
I gave a small laugh. “Nothing’s perfect.”
“The two of you sure make marriage seem easy. He looks at you like you’re still on your honeymoon.”
I had my opening to make her think there was trouble in paradise. “Not lately. We haven’t had sex in two weeks.” I cast my eyes downward. “Sorry—I hope you don’t mind my talking about this.”
“Of course not, that’s what friends are for.” She twirled the straw in her iced tea. “I’m sure he’s just tired, Daph. It’s been crazy at work.”
I sighed. “If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell a soul?”
She leaned in closer. “Of course.”
“He cheated on me before.”
I saw the delight in her eyes before she was able to disguise it.
“You’re kidding? When?”
“Right after Bella was born. I still had some extra weight, and I was tired all the time. There was this client—she was young and pretty and hung on his every word. I had met her at a social function, and from the way she looked at him, I knew she was trouble.”
She licked her lips. “How did you find out?”
Now I was just making it up as I went along. “I found her panties in the apartment.”
“Are you kidding? He took her to your place in New York?”
“Yes. I think she left them deliberately. When I confronted him, he fell apart. Begged my forgiveness. Told me that he’d just felt so ignored with all the time I spent with the new baby, and she’d flattered him so much. He admitted that her adoration was just too hard to resist.”
“Wow. That must have been so hard for you. But at least you bounced back. The two of you seem very happy. And you have to give it to him for not lying.”
I could see the wheels turning in her mind. “I think he did feel bad. He swore it would never happen again. But now I’m seeing some of the same signs I did back then. He’s working late all the time, not initiating sex, seems distracted. I think there must be someone else.”
“I haven’t seen anything suspicious at the office.”