One of Us Is Dead(7)

“He’s precious,” Crystal gushed.

“Yeah, he’s my world.” I put my phone back in my purse. “Do you have any kids?” I knew she didn’t, but I wanted to gauge if she wanted them—if she and Bryce had talked about having any. I don’t know if I was asking for myself or for Shannon.

“Gosh no. I’d love to have a few someday, but not for a while. Don’t think I’m ready for that.”

“I’m sure Bryce is more than ready.” I didn’t know why I said it. It was a dig, a small one for Shannon. It would be my last, I told myself. Crystal was nice. There was no reason I should hate her. She let out a small awkward cough.

“And you run your own real estate business. That’s impressive,” she said, sounding truly genuine.

“Thanks. I built it from the ground up when I first moved here. I wanted to have something of my own, and it’s gotten so successful that it doesn’t take up as much of my time anymore. I’m more the face of it now. I make the appearances and close the deals.” I smiled at her.

“I’d love to do that someday . . . ya know, have something of my own.” She took a small drink of her beer.

I sipped my wine, and at that moment, I spotted Olivia walking across the restaurant. She was late as usual, which made no sense because she was already at the café. But that was Olivia. And she had changed since our meeting. She was now dressed in a tight, scarlet dress that was the perfect mix of classy and sexy. Olivia had mastered “clexy,” as she coined it.

“So sorry I’m late.” Olivia took a seat at the table. “Hi, I’m Olivia Petrov.”

She and Crystal hugged and introduced themselves. Olivia ordered a Chardonnay and a salad. I ordered a salad as well, and Crystal ordered a burger with fries. Olivia squinted her eyes at her order, clearly judging her and hating her at the same time. Crystal was twenty-five. She could get away with eating whatever she wanted. Olivia and I were in our midthirties; we had to save our calories for our wine.

As Olivia and I nibbled our salads and sipped our glasses of wine, Crystal took large mouthfuls of beer and massive bites of her burger. Olivia watched her as if she were watching a caged animal at the zoo, a curious yet pitiful creature.

Crystal let out a small burp. “Excuse me.”

She dabbed the corners of her lips and then continued eating. She was at least trying to fit in, but a Texas girl can’t just throw out her cowboy boots and lasso. She tried to sit up straight, copying the way Olivia was sitting, but every minute or so her shoulders would slouch, and she’d have to reposition herself. We sat in silence, focusing on the food in front of us and exchanging quick glances and small smiles. I didn’t know what to say. It was awkward. Not my idea of a fun afternoon. It was Olivia who finally broke the silence.

“So, you and Bryce . . . How did you two meet?”

Of course, Olivia was going to go there. Straight to the gossip. I would have said it was inappropriate, but I was curious myself. How did a girl like Crystal meet a man like Bryce?

Crystal set down her burger and wiped her mouth with a napkin. She cleared her throat. “At a bar in Texas I was working at. He was in town for some business thing, and we hit it off.” There was a twinkle in her eye, not in a malicious way but in a loving way. She clearly cared for Bryce.

“Did you know he was married?” Olivia smirked. “I’m not judging you,” she added, as if that made her question less inappropriate.

Crystal darted her eyes at both of us while she bit at her lower lip. She chugged the rest of her beer and set the pint glass down with force. “I’m just going to lay this out there because I don’t want it to be a thing any longer. I didn’t at first. He didn’t tell me right away, and when he did, I had already fallen in love with him. I’m not that type of woman, but I guess in a way, I am. And I feel bad for Shannon. I never intended this to happen, but it did. I met a man, and I fell in love with him. I’m not sorry for that, and I don’t think I should be.” She said it all in one breath as if she had practiced it countless times before. Crystal looked at each of us for our approval.

“No need to be sorry,” Olivia said, giving Crystal the support she was seeking. It was obvious Olivia didn’t mean it. “When you know, you know,” she added.

Olivia winked at me. I wasn’t sure why she was winking at me, but I gave her a smile anyway. Buckhead was all about smiles. You smiled when you were pissed, and you smiled when you were pleased.

“I just want to lay this out there too. I’m friends with Shannon, but I want to be cordial with you as well. I hope that you can understand, and I hope Shannon can too.” I felt entirely guilty for being there. My loyalty was and should’ve been with Shannon.

“I understand.” Crystal nodded. “And I respect that.”

I smiled at her, a pleased smile that is.

Olivia tossed down her napkin and drank the rest of her wine. “I don’t. I’m done with Shannon, and you should be too.”

I tilted my head and furrowed my brow. “Was taking her position as chairwoman not enough?”

“No. Do you not remember the way she used to treat me when I first arrived in Buckhead?” Olivia lifted her chin. She took a sip of her freshly poured glass of wine.

“No, and besides, that was a long time ago.” I rolled my eyes.