A Stranger on the Beach(44)

It was the first time I’d seen my sister since her return from Florida a couple of days earlier. She’d come in to the city to meet with her lawyer about some real estate business, and suggested we meet for lunch, so she could catch up on my marital drama. I tried to beg off. I worried that Aidan might ambush me again, the way he had at the spin class. On the other hand, I was too keyed up to be alone, and dying for the comfort of Lynn’s company. I had half a mind to tell her about Aidan anyway, to get her advice.

“Renewing your vows? Are you sure?” Lynn said. “When I left, you were on the verge of divorce. I come back a week later, and everything’s roses? Shouldn’t you wait for the reunion to take before you throw some big expensive party?”

“I thought you’d be happy for me.”

Lynn flicked her blond hair back over her shoulder. Her deep tan and coral lipstick clashed with the grim expression on her face.

“I want to be happy for you, sis, but I’m not sure that’s justified yet. I’ve been hearing some gossip that I hope isn’t true. I didn’t want to have to repeat it to you,” she said.

I knew what was coming.

“You don’t have to repeat it,” I said.

“Because you already know what it is.”

“I can guess. I know you play tennis down in Boca with that—what’s her name?”

“Andrea Grassi. She’s friends with your girlfriend Stacey.”

“Stacey’s not my friend.”

“Apparently not, since she talks behind your back something awful. Anyway, I told Andrea it was impossible. That she must be misinformed. Am I right?”

Lynn gazed at me intently. I kept my expression neutral.

“Caroline?”

“Hold on.”

The waiter was walking toward our table, carrying our salads—mine with shrimp, Lynn’s with chicken. We waited while he worked the long pepper grinder. I loved the food here, but today I had no appetite. A large plate-glass window faced the street, and I sat where I could look out, constantly glancing over Lynn’s shoulder, scanning for him. He’d been following me. I hadn’t seen him yet today, and I was praying he was gone. That he’d given up, lost interest in me. But what if he hadn’t? This man was a killer. I knew that from what the police officer told me. Manslaughter. It could mean anything. And Aidan Callahan was now focused on me. My nerves were taut, my stomach unsettled from the stress. I worried every minute that I would turn around and see him behind me.

“Tell me what you heard, and I’ll tell you if it’s true,” I said, once the waiter was gone.

“I heard, you got yourself a boy toy. A bartender named Aidan who goes to spin class with you. And he’s a hunk and a half. But obviously this isn’t possible, right? A few days ago, I was holding your hand while you sobbed about your rat of a husband.”

“Aidan followed me to spin class. I didn’t bring him.”

“He’s real? I can’t believe it. What the hell is going on, Caroline?”

“Nothing’s going on. I’m not cheating. Not exactly, not currently.”

“Whoa, a lot of hedging there, babe. Listen, let me say up front, if you did it, I understand. Jason cheated first.”

“Jason didn’t cheat. He told me all about it. She’s a—a work colleague.”

“The Russian tart in the leather skirt? Please. You can’t even say that with a straight face.”

“It’s true.”

“Don’t tell me that. I saw her.”

“Well, I believe him. My marriage is fine. Stacey Allen should shut her trap.”

“If your marriage is so fine, who’s this bartender, and why did he follow you to spin class?”

“Okay,” I said, glancing around the restaurant to check one last time that nobody I knew was present. I lowered my voice. “You have to promise not to tell.”

Lynn eyed me with interest. I took a swig of wine and then a deep breath.

“Cross my heart,” she said.

“Not even Joe.”

“I won’t tell my husband, promise,” Lynn said.

“Thank you. Now. You remember how I was when you left?”

“You were a wreck.”

“It got worse from there. I found out Jason drained the bank accounts.”

“Shit, you’re kidding me. That prick. I told you to go to the lawyer.”

“I did. I actually filed papers. But then I withdrew them.”

“Why?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Did he put the money back?”

“Some. Not all of it. But he’s going to.”

She made a clucking noise. “Why would you trust him at this point? With everything he’s done?”

“I’m choosing to trust him. I mean, it’s Jason. Twenty years of marriage, right?”

“I guess. He always seemed like a good guy.”

“Yes, he did. Anyway, in the middle of all this mess, you were in Florida, I was freaking out—”

“Oh, so it’s my fault now?”

“I’m just explaining. I was really upset. There’s nothing to drink in the house, nobody to talk to. I go to the bar in town.”

“Which bar?”