Page 64 of The Perfect Marriage

“Yeah, set up a meeting with Bob tomorrow. I have to make sure everything is running smoothly at the firm as I don’t want to end up in Kent’s office again.”

“You got it.”

“I’m going home. I’ll be back at the office in the morning.”

“Sounds good. Take care of yourself, Sarah. I’ll see you in the morning.”

My phone buzzes. I quickly glance at it. It’s from Matthew.

Dinner tonight? Say 7:30pm at The Capital Grille?

A formally dressed waiter escorts me through the restaurant to a table where Matthew is sitting. There’s a bottle of opened champagne already set out, and Matthew is dressed in a beautifully tailored suit. He stands when I approach and hugs me, planting a kiss on each cheek.

“Sorry I’m late. Had to deal with Adam’s antics.” I take a seat.

“No worries. What’s Adam up to now?” He pours a glass of champagne and offers it to me.

I roll my eyes, take the glass and drink the whole thing.

“He’s drunk. He’s calling dozens of random numbers. He’s writing a tell-all, and he’s working with a reporter on his own ‘investigation.’” I throw up air quotes around investigation because that’s how ridiculous it is to me.

“Not much has changed.” Matthew laughs as he takes a sip of his champagne.

I refill my glass. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Adam’s always had a flair for the dramatics.”

“I can’t argue with that.” I flip open the menu and glance around at it, even though I’ve eaten here dozens of times and I always order the same thing: porcini rubbed bone-in ribeye with fifteen-year aged balsamic.

“How’s Eleanor?”

“Same as usual—bitchy, judgmental, rude, condescending… Did I mention bitchy?” I smirk.

“Of course she is,” Matthew says flicking his hand at me.

“She brought up my parents!”

He tilts his chin down. “She didn’t. What did she say?”

“Basically, that I should get over it.”

He lets out a sigh and reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. “Ignore her. She’s just a miserable bitch.”

I give him a small smile, and he squeezes my hand reassuringly. We pick up our glasses of champagne, clink, and drink.

Matthew pauses and looks at me. “You know? I still don’t understand why you’re defending your husband in all of this.”

“Because he’s my husband,” I sigh. “And regardless of what he’s put me through, deep down I still love him.”

“You do?” Matthew gives me an accusatory smile.

“Really, really deep down right now.” I laugh.

Matthew laughs too. “It takes a strong woman to do what you’re doing.”

“But you think I’m crazy for doing it?”

He closes his menu. “Honestly?”