Feeling like a snoop but unable to help herself, she opened the walk-in closet and was relieved to find clothes she recognized as Trip’s—and more in the bureau drawers. Several pairs of shoes, fewer than she’d expected, were polished and neatly aligned.
He clearly hadn’t been lying when he’d said it wasn’t much of a home. Then again, without someone to share it with, why should he have made it homier? He was on the road constantly. She thought with an affectionate twinge of how she’d always thought he was just being nice when he told her how much he loved spending time at her funky, worn, and definitely lived-in apartment. His own place was so sterile, maybe he meant it wholeheartedly.
Well, she could help him warm it up.
I made it! she texted, keeping it brief because he was at dinner. Then she added, Can’t wait until you get home. XO.
That would be hours from now. She watched her phone for a few minutes, hoping he would send a quick answer, but there was no reply. If he was wooing investors and talking about millions of dollars, it really wasn’t fair to expect one. Reluctantly, she called Bavette’s and canceled the reservation, relieved it wasn’t her new friend, the maître d’, who answered.
Looking through the window again, she pondered hitting the street and finding a cozy restaurant for a solo dinner but found herself dissuaded when a shopping bag, caught in a fierce gust of wind, shot past the window.
So. Delivery it was, then.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Jon said to Jessica over cocktails and oysters in the Signature Room on the ninety-fifth floor. “It’s about Kate.”
Her stomach dropped even more precipitously than it had on TILT. “What about her?”
“She’s involved with Arjun.”
Jessica, having expected Jon to say something very different—that he and Kate had once had a fling—was confused and didn’t know what to say.
“She and Arjun have been together for nearly two years,” Jon continued. “But you can’t breathe a word to anyone.”
“Of course I won’t,” she said, finally feeling relieved. “But why is it such a big secret? Neither one of them is married or anything, right?”
“They work together very closely and don’t want any whispers about romance to take anything away from their scientific integrity.”
“Won’t we have the same problem eventually?” she asked.
“That’s why we’re keeping it quiet,” he said, stroking her knee under the table. “Until eventually.”
Which is when, exactly? she thought but couldn’t quite bring herself to say. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“For one thing, I wanted to put your mind at ease. I work very closely with Kate, too, and I don’t want you thinking anything could be going on between us. I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve wondered.”
“I won’t anymore,” Jessica said. “What’s the other thing?”
Jon looked down at the table. “I’m afraid you’re going to be as disappointed as I am right now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Ava called while you were in the bathroom. She and Holly are at each other’s throats.”
“No!” Jessica blurted. She had promised herself she’d be the epitome of a patient and loving girlfriend while he settled his affairs so they could be together, but apparently her patience had worn thinner than she realized. “This is our special weekend, and I don’t want you to—”
“Ava says that Holly claims she broke curfew twice, but both times she was home when she was supposed to be. Also according to Ava, Holly is insane and won’t believe her and is refusing to let her go to homecoming. Ava is threatening to run away if she doesn’t.”
“It’s just another manipulation,” Jessica said. “You know it is.”
Jon took a long pull of his beer. “But what if it isn’t?”
Jessica folded her arms, too angry to speak.
“I have no choice,” said Jon, pleading his case. “I have to deal with the situation to keep things from going nuclear.”
“You know,” she said, at last, “I went into this knowing it was going to be complicated for a while, and I think I’ve been completely understanding when it comes to your children.”
“You’ve been amazing, Jessie.”
“I haven’t said a word about the fact that we live together and I have to pretend I don’t know you at work. I recently had to sit there and smile while Olivia made reference to your perfect marriage.”
“Oh god. I’m so sorry.”
“In the meantime, I’m going home alone to my mom for Christmas while you play happy broken family with your crazy soon-to-be ex-wife, and I haven’t complained once. I don’t even know what, if anything, we’re doing for New Year’s. And most importantly, I have no idea when the hell you’re actually going to be divorced.”
“Soon, I promise,” Jon whispered. For the first time since she’d known him, he looked like he might be about to cry.
“I went into this knowing it was going to be hard, but sometimes . . .”
“I know,” he said. “I know.”
“And what about tomorrow? It was supposed to be a staycation weekend with just the two of us, not a day and a half interrupted by texts reminding me that you’re not really all mine.” Her voice cracked. “Not yet, anyway.”
“Jessie. Babe . . .” Jon dabbed the corners of his eyes with his napkin. “I promise our weekend together isn’t over, come hell or high water.”
“We’re talking about Annie Wilkes here. Likely as not she’ll find a way to deliver both.”
Sniffling, they both chuckled at that.
“I already bought tickets for something tomorrow, and we’re not missing it.”
“No matter
