The Perfect Stranger (Social Media #2)(71)

“Why not?” Kay asks in surprise. “The poor man just lost his wife. I’m sure under other circumstances he would have been—”

“No, not Meredith’s husband. The daughter’s husband.”

“Oh! What was his name again? Keith?”

“Right. Keith. That was it.”

“What didn’t you like about him?” Landry asks. Her own contact with the man was limited to a brief handshake after being introduced.

But now that the subject has come up, she decides there really was something off-putting about him.

“He just seemed aloof,” Elena says with a shrug.

“You shouldn’t judge people under those circumstances, though,” Kay speaks up again. “They were all hurting. Can you imagine what they’ve been through?”

“I can,” Elena says, “but everyone goes through rough times. That doesn’t change the fact that some guys are jackasses under any circumstances.”

Her words land like a brick tossed onto the table.

Kay’s bushy eyebrows rise above the rims of her glasses.

“Something tells me we’re not just talking about Meredith’s son-in-law anymore,” Landry tells Elena. “Who’s the jackass in your life?”

“Harsh language for a sweet southern belle like you,” Elena fake-chides her.

“I’m just quoting you, my dear.”

“The jackass’s name is Tony, and I can’t believe I’m even bringing it up . . .”

“Why?”

“Because I promised myself that I wasn’t going to think about him at all while I was here. And I definitely wasn’t planning to talk about him.”

“It might make you feel better.”

Elena shakes her head. “Probably worse.”

“What happened?” Kay asks her.

“With Tony? One night stand. Last night. Ever have one?” Elena’s expression makes it clear she already knows the answer to what she just asked Kay: no one night stands there. Certainly not recently; probably not ever.

Kay shakes her head and looks down at her teacup.

Elena looks at Landry. “You?”

“A million years ago,” she confesses, remembering. It isn’t pleasant. “I was in college.”

“Really? That was the last time?”

“I’ve been married forever, Elena.”

“Oh. Right. I forgot.”

“So what happened?” Landry asks. “Last night, I mean.”

“Basically—wine. Wine happened. Does that explain it?”

It might have, years ago. In college. Wine, beer, potent spiked punch at a fraternity party . . .

But Elena is a grown woman. Does she have a drinking problem?

Reminding herself not to jump to conclusions, Landry asks, “So you had too much wine, and you didn’t know what you were doing? Is that it?”

“Pretty much. It’s been such a stressful week, between issues with the kids in my class, and Meredith, and . . . well, you know. Bad week. Crazy time of year. We had this school function last night, and we were both there—”

“You and the jackass?” Landry cuts in with a wry smile that is returned.

“Right. He teaches P.E. at my school, and—well, I did go out with him once, last year. It’s funny—I told Meredith about it because I was psyched about the date before it happened. And I promised to let her know how it went, and she was waiting and expecting to hear that he was the love of my life, but . . .”

“No?”

“No way. One date was enough to convince me that I can’t stand him—and it took him forever to get the message even though I felt like it was loud and clear. But apparently I somehow forgot all that last night, and . . . now he’s kind of . . . stalking me.”

“Stalking you?”

Seeing the alarmed look on Landry’s face, Elena backtracks quickly: “I probably shouldn’t say ‘stalking.’ That’s a little extreme. But he’s just . . . this is how it was after we went out. He’s really persistent and oblivious that I’m . . .”

“Just not that into him?” Landry supplies.

“Not into him at all! But somehow he must think I want to hear from him, and he’s been trying to get ahold of me ever since I got here. Before I left this morning he said he wanted to pick me up from the airport tomorrow and I said no, and then he wanted to come here with me, and of course I said no to that, too. I don’t want him here. I don’t want him there. He makes my skin crawl. Did you ever have someone who just—” She breaks off with a shudder.

“Is he dangerous, do you think?” Kay’s fleshy face is etched in concern.

“Who knows? He’s a creep.” Elena shakes her head.

Landry persists, “But do you feel threatened?”

Elena tilts her head as if contemplating the question, then shrugs. “I don’t know. But, I mean, look what happened to Meredith. You never know what people are capable of doing.”

There’s a long silence.

“Do y’all think—” Landry cuts herself off, realizing now might not be the time to bring this up.

“What?” Elena prompts.

“I’ve just been wondering—what if Meredith’s blog was responsible for . . . I mean, what if some crazy person was following her online—you know, even stalking her, like this Tony guy is with you, Elena—”