Page 76 of Happy Wife

—

“We must be early.” Will looked at his watch as we were seated near a window.

I couldn’t help the look I gave him. “It’s six forty-five. The reservation was for six-thirty.”

I knew a snub when I saw one, and Gianna never missed the opportunity for a power play. Will, on the other hand, never missed the chance to give people the benefit of the doubt.

“Let’s get a drink,” he soothed, landing a small kiss on my shoulder and rubbing my back.

It was after seven when Gianna and Fritz finally rolled in. I expected some flare of drama over their late arrival or a show of remorse and maybe even an elaborate—if flimsy—story as to why they were delayed, but they simply strolled in as if they were right on time.

I guess when you’re Fritz and Gianna Hall, you’re always exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Will stood to greet them, but I kept my seat, a quiet protest.

After the requisite air-kisses and backslaps had been exchanged, Fritz took the seat across from me while Gianna opted to sit in the corner, opposite Will. The server was quick to attend to our table and take down their drink orders, hurrying off with a similar urgency to retrieve their requests. It was like watching someone wait on royalty or a celebrity—pathetically obsequious.

“Nora,” Fritz said and slapped a hand on the table. “How the hell are you? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Surely not ages, Fritz,” Gianna purred. “Nora and Will haven’t even been married a year.”

Subtext: You’re brand-new and do not belong.

“I’ve been well.” I smiled politely. “Thank you for asking.”

“What do you get up to in that big house all by yourself?” Gianna asked as she sipped her tequila and soda.

Translation: You do not run in our circles. And like any other straggler in a pack of animals, we should leave you for dead.

“This and that.” I shrugged, very aware that anything I said to Gianna would make its way back to Constance in short order.

Will put an arm around my shoulder. “She practically lives in the yoga studio with our neighbor, Este.”

This made Gianna’s sharp eyes go wide. “I didn’t know you were so athletic. You should come by the club sometime. The girls and I have a little tennis group. We’d love to add one more to the clan.”

In other words: I’d love to isolate and bully you for sport while my friends watch. We can bring tennis rackets.

“Oh gosh.” I tried to sound innocent. “You’re so kind to offer. I’m afraid I’ve never been very good at tennis. The scoring makes me dizzy. What is it with country club sports and made-up scoring systems? Golf, tennis, cricket—it’s all Greek to me.”

Considering you already think I’m an unsophisticated idiot, I might as well play dumb to get out of whatever kind of hellscape socializing with you and your friends would be.

“It’s very nice of you to extend the invitation, Gianna,” Will chimed in. “I’ll help Nora brush up on scoring.”

“I’ll bet you will.” Fritz wagged his eyebrows.

Gianna just rolled her eyes. Will took a sip of his drink.

“Don’t mind Fritz,” Will said to me, but loud enough for the table to hear. “He’s never been able to move on from sophomorichumor.” Then, directly to Fritz, he said, “Even when it’s completely inappropriate.”

Fritz didn’t exactly look contrite, and Will didn’t quite look angry. But an awkward silence settled over the table. I’d never seen them like this.

Gianna kept the smile frozen on her face, then tried to break the silence. “How are things with the firm, Will? Fritz tells me you’re working on the case of a lifetime. Martinez something or other?”

Is this the thing that keeps him up all night? Why does Gianna know about it but not me?

My chest stings.

Will looked at Fritz for a second, and there was something strange and unspoken in the way he eyed his partner.