Susan Mallery Page 0,43

and short films and I got sucked into it all.”

Alec leaned back in his chair. “So what’s the bad for you part?”

“I was weak and feckless when I was around him. He would say ‘come to Thailand with me’ and off I would go. For a month. In the middle of my semester. I nearly flunked all my classes—it was a disaster. I lost my scholarship, which about killed me financially. You’d think I’d learn, but nope. Not even a little. He would show up and off I would go.”

“Still?”

His tone was neutral and his expression was friendly enough, so she had no idea what he was thinking. Some version of “but she looks so smart” seemed fair, but she doubted he would say that out loud.

“I’m in recovery,” she said lightly. “The last straw was when I missed my dream-job interview because I didn’t get back from Patagonia in time. Ultimately that screwup led me to the job I have now, which I love, but still. Missing the interview was a real wake-up call. I stopped seeing him. He shows up every couple of years and tries to tempt me to do something wild with him. Thus far I’ve resisted.”

“At least you didn’t marry him.”

“Marriage was never on the table. Dietrich isn’t the marrying kind.” He was more the “let’s have hot sex in the backseat of my car” type, but why say that?

She shrugged. “Regardless, I learned my lesson. I refuse to make bad decisions based on a man.”

“I agree that uncontrolled emotions can be dangerous,” he said. “Or rather, emotions that tempt us to do things not in our best interest. You have quite the romantic past. By comparison, my love life is ordinary and rather boring.”

“I envy you.”

“I doubt that. So tell me about Patagonia. Did you enjoy your time there?”

Three hours passed in what felt like minutes and it was nearly ten when they finally left the table. After putting everything away, they said good-night and Margot headed up the stairs, her shoes in hand.

Alec was a good guy, she thought. He would never ask a woman to give up her life to follow him on whatever adventure he had in mind. He would never get so angry, she was afraid he would hit her. He would be more thoughtful and caring. Not that it mattered. She doubted he was all that impressed by her. Her relationship with Dietrich put her firmly in the dumb blonde category and he wasn’t the kind of man to find that the least bit attractive.

* * *

Sunshine signed in at the main office of the elementary school and then was directed to the auditorium.

“Are you going to the meeting, too?” a woman asked as she fell into step with her. “Why do they do this? Hold them at two in the afternoon? It’s the middle of the workday and not all of us are stay-at-home moms.” She grimaced. “Sorry. It’s been one of those days and sometimes I rant. I’m Phoebe Salvia.”

“Sunshine. Hi. What grade are your kids in?”

“I just have the one. Elijah. He’s in third grade.”

Sunshine smiled. “I’m with Connor. He and Elijah are friends.”

“Right. They are.” Phoebe, a pretty redhead in a power suit, studied her for a second. “You’re the nanny?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I figured. I remember when Iris died. It was so fast and we were all shocked. Poor Connor. He was so sad. I mean any kid would be. How’s Declan doing?”

“He keeps busy with work and being a dad. It’s tough on both of them.”

They walked into the auditorium and took seats together. Someone came by and handed them a sheet of paper with the agenda for their meeting. Sunshine scanned it.

They were going to talk about the end of year field trip for third graders and the all-school bake sale in a few weeks.

“A bake sale,” Phoebe grumbled. “There are days I don’t have time to shower, let alone bake. Maybe on the weekend when Elijah is with his dad. It’s not like I’m busy dating.”

She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God! Listen to me. I’m so sorry. I’m actually a very nice person who is kind to animals and doesn’t spend her whole life bitching. I’m sorry. Maybe I’m getting my period.”

Sunshine laughed. “It’s okay. We all have days.”

“Thank you for saying that, even if you don’t mean it.” She sighed. “Let me guess. You’ll be baking something from scratch, won’t you?”

Sunshine thought about the items in the freezer, left

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