“Is it money she’s after?” A shameful confession: Gina harbors a fantasy where Eva is paid off and silently retreats into oblivion. It would be dishonest and dishonorable, but at least Gina’s life would go back to normal.
“She hasn’t come out and said as much, but it’s always a possibility.”
“I don’t get it. She’s not suing the company—”
“Not yet.”
“You think she will?”
“Goddard does. He suggested that Bobby step down, at least for a while.”
“Goddard is an outsider,” Gina says. “He doesn’t understand.”
“Goddard has been with the company for nearly a decade. He’s loyal. And he’s not the only one who thinks it’s for the best. Logan suggested it, too. Especially after the Saks incident.”
The Saks incident was, really, a protest. Yesterday, a group of seven women wearing pink hats marched into Saks Fifth Avenue and threw red paint on several pairs of Alma Boots’ shoes. Obviously, their stunt went viral on social media—which was probably their goal to begin with. Gina has watched footage of the event. The women kept chanting Hey hey, ho ho, Bobby Dewar has got to go! even after police came to arrest them. She had stopped watching after they were handcuffed because it was too heartbreaking, the idea that these strangers hated Bobby so much they were willing to commit vandalism and go to jail to make a point. Not that they were behind bars for long. They’re already out on bail. A crowdfunding campaign is underway to help pay for their defense. In her good moments, Gina feels sorry for them. In her bad ones, she feels happy for their legal troubles.
“Were you there?” Gina asks. The department store is only steps away from the Alma Boots’ headquarters in the city.
“No,” Nick says. “But Saks has already called to let us know they’re pulling our shoes from their displays. And two other retailers canceled their orders, citing low sales numbers, though everyone knows that’s not what it’s about. I’m worried that other stores might do the same.”
Gina feels her heart thumping in her chest. “Can’t you offer to reimburse them for the lost merchandise?”
“It’s not about the shoes. It’s about how it looks. Which is why it might be best for Bobby to resign. Or take a leave of absence.” Nick’s voice is slow and thoughtful.
“Bobby will never agree.” Gina wonders how he’s holding up. Bobby is used to facing challenges at work, but at the end of the day he always got to come home to her. To be comforted and listened to. His safe harbor. That’s what he calls her. Called her.
“He would if you convinced him it’s the best option.”
Gina is stunned. “I’m not convinced it’s the best option. Honestly, Nick, even if he did do it, what does him having an affair have to do with his job? He’s worked his whole life for this. The only person who has a right to be angry about him cheating on me is me. Not Eva because she knew he was married. Not those protestors because it’s none of their business. And not Goddard or Logan because Bobby is their boss, not their husband. I’m the only one who gets to be upset about this. This is about my marriage, not Alma Boots. Why does nobody seem to understand this?”
A stretch of silence. It is not lost on her that Nick is not coming to his brother’s defense. Nick is loyal to Bobby, Gina knows this. But he’s also protective of her. If Bobby had an affair and Nick knew, would he tell her?
“Did he do it?” Her voice is barely a whisper. It’s a question she’s wanted to ask Nick for weeks, ever since the story came out.
“I don’t know.” His tone drops a register.
“He’s your twin.”
“He’s your husband.”
A long pause. “What would you do?” Gina asks. “If you were in Bobby’s shoes and you weren’t guilty? Would you resign?”
Nick looks to the side for a few seconds. Then, he meets her gaze and says, “I’d sue.”
“You’d sue… whom?”
“Eva. She’s ruining my life, my reputation. Plus, she’s endangering the company. We’re losing sales over this. My guess is I’d be able to seek damages.”
“But isn’t that… dangerous?” Gina rubs her neck. “I asked Bobby about firing her and he said that the #MeToo crucifiers would have his head on a stick.”
“Don’t they already?” Nick says, lifting his shoulders. “At least this way I’d be sending a strong message. Going on the offensive instead of rolling over and just waiting for this to pass. I’d do it for myself, but for the company, too. To set a precedent. Discourage other people from coming forward with false stories.”
Gina blinks. “I hadn’t… I mean, I guess I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Your turn: if you were Eva Stone and you were telling the truth, what would you do?”
“I wouldn’t have posted a video about an affair I had with my married boss to begin with. No matter how much ‘power imbalance,’” Gina pauses to make air quotes, “there was between us. So, obviously, she and I are very different people.”
“If you really were pregnant wouldn’t you just get a paternity test to prove it?” Nick asks. “I looked into it. You can get it when the baby is still in the womb.”
“I’m not sure, actually. It’s probably a risky procedure.”
“But wouldn’t you offer tangible proof of the affair? Text messages, pictures?”
“That’s what I think, too.” Gina sighs. She feels exhausted and confused. “At this point, I just want to know.”
“Would you forgive him?”
Other people have asked this. Acquaintances and friends, but also the people to whom she is closest. Caroline. Calan. Tish. But coming from Nick, it’s an entirely different question.
“I don’t know.”
Nick looks down. “People make mistakes,” he says. Innocent enough words—on the surface. But theirs is a deeper relationship.
“That was a long time ago.” Gina’s voice is low. “We were kids.”
Does she owe Bobby forgiveness—no questions asked? Does her mistake constitute a promissory note that allows Bobby to cheat on her, at
