214 Palmer Street(46)

She could picture his voice saying the words and knew that he was sincere. She had concerns about the man she’d married, but had never doubted his love. Her fingertips hovered over the keyboard, considering a response, but then thought better of it.

The last message was from Clarice.

Girlfriend, you’re on fire! Good for you, making Kirk sweat. Hope you’re having fun!





Hmm. Sarah twisted her lips in thought. It was interesting how much someone could convey in a few lines of text. Her mother-in-law loved her and was worried. Kirk was concerned that he’d offended her and wanted to make it right. And, of course, he’d said he loved her.

And clearly Clarice enjoyed having her gone.

Clarice.

Clarice’s Facebook posts matched her personality. Hyperbolic and confident. Even her words on the page were loud. This book has changed my life! Girlfriend, if you haven’t tried this skin serum, you’re missing out! Had the best dinner of my life at Golden last night! And every single photo featured Clarice, looking like the social influencer she clearly wanted to be. So obnoxious and full of herself.

Sarah couldn’t believe she’d actually considered the woman a good friend. When Clarice had started working at Garden Design Landscaping, they’d connected easily. Clarice was fun, charming, vivacious. Who knew that she was capable of secretly meeting Sarah’s husband for lunch? Not Sarah, who tended to take people at their word. In retrospect, she’d been too trusting and very na?ve. Always taking people at face value, was how Phil put it, adding, “I think that’s an admirable trait, frankly.”

This conversation took place after he’d stopped at the house to show her photos of Clarice and Kirk sitting together in a restaurant, and a few more pictures of Clarice alone, after Kirk had walked out. In a huff, was how Phil had described it. “After he left the table, she yelled after him, ‘You can’t get rid of me that easily, Kirk Aden. I’ll tell Sarah.’”

“Oh.” Sarah looked at the photos, feeling like she’d been smacked in the face. In one moment she’d gone from happily married, to questioning everything she knew about her husband. Previously, she’d been disappointed each month when her period had arrived. Now she was grateful not to be pregnant.

“I’m sorry, Sarah.” Phil’s face was creased with concern. “I know this is none of my business, but as your friend, I thought you should know. Maybe there’s a good explanation?”

“Maybe,” she’d said, but they both knew that was unlikely.

Of course she’d confronted Kirk when he’d gotten home that night. Over dinner she’d casually asked about his day. He mentioned a few problems with car deliveries, and told her one of the saleswomen had gotten roses delivered for her birthday. Foolishly, she’d secretly hoped he’d bring up seeing Clarice and offer a story that explained both their meeting and her outburst. As he kept talking she realized it wasn’t going to happen. When he paused to take a bite, she asked, “What did you do for lunch today?”

She saw a flash of emotion cross his face—guilt perhaps? There was something there, but only for a moment. He recovered quickly and gave her a charming smile. “I imagine you heard about my running into Clarice?” Kirk shook his head as if the situation was comical, and she felt her breath catch in her chest. He took a sip of wine, a casual gesture. “I know she’s your friend, but good Lord, that woman is not my favorite. I ran into her when I stopped for lunch. She insisted on eating with me, even though I told her I was in a hurry. Then, when I had to rush out because there was an emergency at work, she became angry and created a scene. Frankly, she sounded unbalanced.” Sarah felt her muscles tense. “I saw your P.T. guy sitting at the counter on the way out. I had a feeling he’d tell you. I just didn’t think he’d be so quick about it. Some people have nothing better to do.”

The over-explaining, the false frivolity, the directional shift to Phil—all of it added up to one conclusion. He was lying.

“Yes, Phil did tell me about it,” she said, keeping her voice even. She took a sip of wine. “Clarice does have a flair for the dramatic.”

“I’ll say.”

“Funny how both of you were there at the same time, alone.”

He couldn’t meet her eyes, instead gazing down at the table. There was a pause and then he looked up and said, “I thought the same thing. Highly suspicious. I’m not sure what to make of it.”

“So if I checked your phone, there wouldn’t be messages between the two of you?” A bluff on her part. She’d never looked at his phone and didn’t know the password. It hadn’t occurred to her that she’d even care who he was calling or texting. Too trusting.

He gave her a look of reproach. “Come on, Sarah. You don’t really think I’m having an affair with Clarice Carter, do you? You know me. I am one hundred percent devoted to you and our marriage. Clarice is just someone I went to high school with. She was a drama queen back then and she hasn’t changed since.”

She took another bite of her salmon, gave him a small smile, and nodded. Everything he said was true, but she sensed a lie hidden somewhere in the words. She blinked back tears and tried to hold back all the other questions that came to mind. If he wasn’t going to be honest, there was no point in asking them.