“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Ray frowned. “You haven’t heard? Paul has given notice. He’s finally retiring. I’m interviewing for his job. The owner asked me to. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” Ali said automatically. “Let me know how it goes.”
“Sure thing.”
Ali stood there, unable to move. No one had asked her to interview. No one had said a word. She was working by herself right now but in her previous positions, she’d had people working for her. When Paul went on vacation, she was the one who took over for him. She’d been doing that for two years. Wasn’t she the more obvious replacement? Ray was gruff and moody and he frightened people. Not exactly great management material. So why not her? Was it because she didn’t have a degree? She wasn’t sure of Ray’s academic status, but she thought maybe he might have a few years of college. Or was it something else? Her age? The fact that she was a woman? Or was it because she’d never once talked to anyone about wanting to grow in her career? She’d never expressed any desire to take on more responsibility.
She didn’t have an answer and she wasn’t sure where to get one. All she knew was that just when she’d finally found a little peace, everything had turned crappy again.
* * *
Saturday morning Finola risked the grocery store. She figured the busy shoppers wouldn’t really care that she, too, was buying bread and cantaloupe—they had schedules to keep and lives to live. Her mother had gone to work—weekends were always busy at the mall in general and the boutique in particular. Young women looking for clothes to make them feel powerful would be on the prowl and Mary Jo’s successful store was a go-to stop.
In an effort to distract herself and to avoid spending the day alone and moping, Finola texted her sisters, inviting them over to lunch. There was just enough time between their answers to make her wonder if they were texting with each other first. She told herself she was being paranoid only to have them reply at exactly the same time using nearly the same phrasing.
Can’t wait. Want to see you.
So excited. Want to see you.
She didn’t know what was up with that, but honestly, it was more than she could deal with so she ignored it. That was her new mantra. Just ignore it. Maybe not as spiritually healing as finding the good in the world or inviting in kindness, but for now it was working and that was enough for her.
She’d shopped with the idea of company. She had ingredients for curried chicken sandwiches, along with green salad fixings and everything she needed to make her famous basil ranch dressing.
She spent the morning getting everything ready, then went for a walk in the neighborhood. With her hair pulled back in a ponytail, a baseball cap and dark glasses, she figured she was fairly unrecognizable. Three miles later, she was slightly out of breath and feeling much better about herself. She showered and dressed, then checked on the food. She’d just finished setting the table when Ali arrived.
“Hey, you,” her baby sister said, hugging her tight. “How are you doing?”
“I’ve been better.”
“I’ll bet. I still hate Nigel so much and I’m never listening to a Treasure song again in my life. I hate her, too.” Ali rubbed Finola’s arm as they walked into the kitchen and took seats at the table there. “Are you doing okay being back here? Mom would drive me crazy but you two get along okay.”
“It’s not exactly where I saw myself, but it’s helping. Turns out, having a different last name is a good thing.”
“As long as you’re safe,” Ali told her, looking concerned.
“I am. Word was bound to get out. Treasure is a paparazzi magnet, so’s everyone in her circle.” Finola fought against tears. “I just don’t understand why he did it. An affair is one thing, but an affair with her? Did he have to? It’s so public and everyone knows. They’re all talking about me and judging me. I hate it.”
Ali hugged her. “Of course you do. I’m sorry. I wish I could do something to help.”
“Having you here today is nice.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
Zennie arrived. She breezed into the house looking tall and fit, as per usual. There was something about her air of confidence that always made Finola feel as though she had to work harder. Not a competition, exactly, more of a challenge. Zennie could be stunning, but she never bothered to try. She wasn’t interested in makeup or dressing up or being noticed.
“How’s it going?” Zennie asked, hugging them both. She looked at Ali. “Still getting through it?”
“I’m managing. Every day is easier.”
In that second, Finola realized she hadn’t bothered to ask how Ali was doing. In a way they were going through similar circumstances, although a case could be made that a broken marriage was a lot bigger than just a broken engagement. Still, Ali was her sister and it wasn’t as if she’d even bothered to check on her. How had that happened?
“Have you heard from Glen at all?” she asked, as if she’d been worried about her all along.
“Nothing. He sent me that check and that’s it.”
“Bastard,” Zennie grumbled, setting her bag on the floor and joining them at the table. “He’s a nightmare. He should definitely pay for at least half the wedding. Maybe all of it. He’s the one who proposed and he’s the one who walked.”
Finola hadn’t realized Glen hadn’t helped pay for the canceled wedding. “Do you want to talk to a lawyer? I could get you a name.”
“No, it’s done. I took care of everything myself. I, ah, managed to negotiate a decent deal on most of the contracts. Now I just have to pay off my credit cards, build up my savings and I’m good.” She shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t want to talk about it.” She smiled at Finola. “Thanks for inviting us to lunch. I feel as if we haven’t been together in a while.” She rolled her eyes. “Cleaning out Mom’s house doesn’t count.”
Zennie sighed. “It’s going to take forever.” She looked at Finola. “You could do it in little bits every night. I mean, you’re here already.”
“Thanks, but no. I think it should be a group activity.” Finola ignored the fact that she’d ducked out the last time they were supposed to be finishing up the bonus room. “If it’s just me, Mom will want me to take everything and that’s not happening.” She leaned toward Ali. “She’s trying to pawn off that hideous old clock on me. I keep telling her you’re the only one who wants it.”
“She’s giving away my clock? No! Why would she do that? I’m going to have to talk to her. That should be my clock. I swear, I really am going to have to steal it.” Ali looked at Zennie. “So, what’s new with you?”
If Finola hadn’t been looking at her sisters, she wouldn’t have noticed anything going on. But there was something between them. As Ali spoke, Zennie’s mouth twisted, as if she were being called out on something. Zennie hesitated before speaking.
“What?” Finola asked, glancing between them. “You know something I don’t.”
Zennie smiled at her. “So, funny thing. I’m pregnant.”
The information was so unexpected, Finola couldn’t quite understand what Zennie was saying. “You’re what?”
“Pregnant.”
“But you’re not even in a relationship.”
“Yes, there is that. I can explain.”
Pregnant? Zennie was having a baby? Finola thought of the gift she’d had for Nigel—the sexy toys and baby booties. They were supposed to have gone to Hawaii together. She was supposed to have been pregnant by now. They were supposed to have been happily married to each other forever.
“You remember my friend Bernie,” Zennie began.
“What does she have to do with any of this?”
Zennie explained about Bernie and the cancer and the artificial insemination. “I’m their surrogate. I’ll carry the baby and when it’s born, they take over. Oh, Mom doesn’t know. I’m going to tell her but I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything.”
Finola couldn’t believe it. “Are you insane? Who does that? My God, it’s a potential legal nightmare. What if they break up? What if one of them dies? What if there’s something wrong with the baby? Will you be stuck with it? Did you even think this through? I know she’s your friend, but you’ve made a huge mistake. Are you sure you’re pregnant? Do you have to keep it?”
Finola stopped talking when she realized both her sisters were staring at her with similar looks of confusion and distaste.
Ali spoke first. “This is a great thing. It’s a wonderful gift to give someone she loves. I think Zennie’s amazing for taking this on.”
“Then you’re as much of a fool as she is.”
Ali flinched. Finola immediately felt guilty.
“I’m sorry. That came out too harshly. All of it. I’m just surprised. It’s a huge step and there are legal ramifications to be considered.”
“Yes, there are,” Zennie said, her voice cool. “Hayes is a lawyer. We went over all of them and it’s covered. I might not be as calculating and self-absorbed as you are, but I’m not stupid. I know there’s a chance it could go badly but there’s also a chance everything will work out. I love Bernie and I want to help her and Hayes have a baby. It’s fine not to agree with my decision, but I would appreciate it if you’d at least respect it and not be so negative.”