guilty and slightly giddy as I thought about my call with Lucy. What would she say, and would she hate Wade when I told her about the conversation I’d overheard?
“Stop overthinking it, Savannah,” I lectured myself as I walked into the bathroom. “It is what it is, and what it will be is up to you.”
“Lucy, are you sitting down?” I knew I sounded melodramatic, but if there was ever a time in my life that I could justify being dramatic, it was now.
“No, I’m walking Jolene and I’m not about to sit down in the street. Why?”
“I’m about to tell you something absolutely crazy.” I could have been Lady Macbeth the way my voice was carrying across the room. “Sorry, let me speak a little bit quieter. How’s Jolene doing, by the way? Shall we Facetime?”
“Like I said, I’m in the street.” Lucy laughed. “I know there are many things that pass in New York City, but I don’t want to be one of those rude people carrying on a video conversation while I’m walking down the street with my dog that is stopping to piss every few seconds.” She paused. “Also, I thought it was only male dogs that marked their territory? Jolene is trying to piss on every pole we see.”
“She’s an alpha.” I laughed. “And she’s probably horny. She wants all the male dogs to smell her.”
Lucy groaned.
“Erm, talking about horny …” I knew my segue wasn’t the smoothest, but I was dying to tell her about my night.
“I didn’t know that we were talking about horny—” Lucy gasped. “Jolene, no! Jolene, come here! Ugh, this dog!”
“Sorry, Lucy, but thank you for taking care of her.” I felt guilty as I knew that Jolene wasn’t the easiest dog to walk. “I totally owe you. When I get back to the city, I’ll buy you a Cartier watch or a Gucci bag or something.”
“Actually, I’d love a Ferragamo studio bag in pine green. This actress came into the office and she had one, and it was to die for. It’s made from ostrich leather. Did you even know there was such a thing?”
“Ostrich leather? What?” I laughed. “Do they have to skin the ostriches? I can’t imagine it looks good. They’re such ugly creatures.”
“No idea, but it is to die for, I tell you. Absolutely gorgeous, and it’s only ten grand.” She burst out laughing. “Can you believe I said it’s only ten grand, what world am I living in?”
“I slept with Wade!” I burst out, not able to hold it in anymore.
“You what?” It was Lucy’s turn to shout. “Did I hear you correctly? You had THE SEX with Wade Hart?”
“Well, technically I had the sex with The Wade Hart.” I giggled.
“Oh, my days, I do need to sit down.” Lucy sounded shocked. “Tell me all. Did it hurt? Was it amazing? Do you feel different? Do you love him?”
“Yes, it hurt a little but not for long. Yes, it was so amazing. I feel kinda different, and ugh, I don’t want to talk about love.” I paused and lowered my voice. “So now I have the exciting bit out of the way, I need to be more serious. There’s something weird going on here.”
“Oh God, please don’t tell me this is a sex trafficking situation. I was starting to wonder when—”
I cut her off. “No, Lucy. At least I don’t think it has anything to do with that. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if there was something a bit sinister going on.”
“What do you mean?” Lucy’s breath was coming faster now and I could tell she was walking quickly. I had a feeling that she was hurrying to get home so that she could scream at me.
“So last night after we’d, uhm, done the deed ...”
“Don’t be a prude now, Savannah.” Lucy laughed. “It’s fine to say ‘after you had sex.’”
“Yeah, well, after, I went to have a shower and I needed a towel, and so I was going back to the room, but I opened the door and he was on the phone.”
“Oh God, please do not tell me he was married,” Lucy growled. “These men suck, why can’t they just be faithful?’
“It wasn’t his wife. I don’t think he has a wife.” But even as I said the words it struck me that perhaps I was wrong. Maybe he was married, and that was why he’d said I would ruin his life. But no, he hadn’t said his life, singular. He’d said “our