The hostess looks confused, but gamely pulls our table closer to theirs, creating one long table for four.
We sit. Dererick is next to me. Vanessa is next to Nathan across from each other. The two people who’ve been sneaking around for 7 months, now forced to sit at the same table with their spouses.
It’s beautiful.
“So,” I say as the waiter comes to take our drink order, “How do you two know each other again?”
“Just from the dance academy?”
Vanessa’s face has gone pale.
“Yes, we’ve we’ve chatted a few times.”
“Chatted?” Nathan repeats. His voice is flat.
“That’s one way to put it.”
Dererick clears his throat.
“Honey, maybe we should—”
“should what?” I ask innocently.
“It’s our anniversary, Derek.”
“And apparently it’s Vanessa and Nathan’s anniversary, too.”
“10 years, right, Nathan?”
“That’s right,” Nathan confirms. “10 years of marriage.”
“Though it turns out not all of those years were quite what I thought they were.”
The air at the table has gone cold. Vanessa is gripping her napkin so hard her knuckles are white.
“Nathan, can we talk privately?”
“Why?” He asks. “Don’t you think we should celebrate all of us together?”
“After all, we have so much in common.”
Dererick tries to stand.
“I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding.”
“Sit down,” I say.
My voice isn’t loud, but something in it makes him freeze.
“There’s no misunderstanding. We know both of us. We’ve known for weeks.”
You could hear a pin drop.
Vanessa looks like she might cry or throw up or both. Dererick’s jaw is clenched so tight I can see the muscle twitching.
“Amber,” he says quietly. “Let’s go home and discuss this.”
“No,” I say.
“I think we should stay. We have reservations. It would be rude to leave.”
The waiter returns with our drinks, blissfully unaware of the tension. He rattles off the specials.
Nathan orders the steak. I order the salmon. Dererick and Vanessa don’t order anything.
“You need to eat,” Nathan tells Vanessa.
“You’re always saying how much you love the food here.”
“Oh, wait. I guess you wouldn’t know. You’ve never been here with me.”
“Nathan, please.”
Vanessa whispers.
“Please, what?”
“Please don’t embarrass—”
“you.”
“Please don’t make a scene.”
His voice is getting louder.
“Where was that consideration when you were screwing him?”
The couple at the table next to us looks over.
“Keep your voice down,” Vanessa hisses.
“Why?” Nathan leans back in his chair.
“Worried someone might hear.”
“Worried someone might find out that perfect Vanessa Bradley isn’t so perfect after all.”
Dererick finds his voice.
“This is insane. Amber, you’re being crazy.”
“Don’t.” I cut him off.
“Don’t you dare call me crazy.”
“Not after months of gaslighting me.”
“Not after making me think I was paranoid and jealous and insecure.”
“Not after bringing her to our daughter’s dance recital.”
“I didn’t bring her.”
“You knew she’d be there.”
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