Roche, Robert's wife."
Rebecca's tone softened instantly. "Anne Marie, of course. How are you?"
"Better." Which was true. "What about you?"
"Busy."
Anne Marie couldn't tell if this was a brush-off or an indication that Rebecca couldn't speak now.
"I won't keep you then," she said, following the other woman's lead. "I was hoping we could get together soon. Would that be possible?"
"You and me?" Rebecca didn't bother to conceal her surprise, or her reluctance.
"Could we meet for lunch? When it's convenient for you..."
"Well, I suppose lunch would work. How about tomorrow?"
A strange calm settled over Anne Marie. A day from now she'd know the truth, whatever it might be. She'd make this as painless as she could for all involved. Two months ago, when Melissa had told her about this, she'd wanted to hate Robert's assistant, to view her as the manipulative other woman. She still tended to see Rebecca as a gold digger who saw her big chance when Robert and Anne Marie separated. And yet...she'd never approached the family for child support.
Rebecca suggested a small, upscale restaurant close to Pike Place Market. Anne Marie knew it well; Robert had taken her there on a number of occasions. It catered to businessmen who wanted privacy to conduct negotiations over lunch or dinner - and the deals they negotiated obviously weren't all business.
Rebecca said it would have to be an early lunch and asked if eleven-thirty was okay. Anne Marie agreed.
Rebecca must know why Anne Marie had called her. The choice of restaurant told her so. Anne Marie tried not to imagine the younger woman and Robert at the dark corner table, the one he used to reserve for their intimate lunches.
On Friday Anne Marie arrived at eleven-fifteen, fifteen minutes early. Theresa had promised to substitute for her at the bookstore for the rest of the day. In an effort to pack as much into one free afternoon as she possibly could, Anne Marie was going shopping with Melissa after lunch.
The wedding plans consumed every free moment Melissa had and much of Anne Marie's time, as well. Unfortunately Melissa's mother continued to shun her, but Anne Marie believed that once the baby was born, Pamela would have a change of heart. How could she not love her very own grandchild?
The hostess led Anne Marie to a quiet table near the window. The restaurant typically wasn't busy until noon and she appreciated the privacy. So far, only one other table was filled, with three men and a woman engaged in some intense discussion. Anne Marie ordered iced tea while she waited. She nervously squeezed lemon into the tea as she rehearsed her remarks.
Rebecca got there right at eleven-thirty and was escorted to the table. "Hello again," the other woman greeted her. She pulled out the chair across from Anne Marie.
What struck her all over again was how very young Robert's assistant was. Young and lovely. Her hair was a rich auburn, shoulder-length and naturally thick. She wore an olive-green skirt and matching jacket with a white silk blouse. An antique cameo - a family heirloom? a gift from Robert? - was pinned at her throat.
"Thank you for taking the time to join me," Anne Marie said, keeping her voice neutral.
Rebecca didn't respond; she opened the menu and scanned it, saying, "Perhaps we should order first."
"Good idea," Anne Marie said, eager to do anything to delay this uncomfortable conversation. "By the way, this is on me."
"That's not necessary," Rebecca said with cool politeness, "but thanks."
Anne Marie amended her assessment of Rebecca Gilroy. She might be young and vulnerable-looking, but she had a self-confidence that wouldn't have been out of place in someone much older.
When the waitress came to take their order, they both chose a soup and salad combination.
"I expect you're here to discuss what happened between Robert and me," Rebecca said, leaping headfirst into the conversation Anne Marie had been avoiding - until today.
"Yes."
"I thought so." Rebecca kept her eyes lowered and toyed with the spoon, belying the confidence she'd shown just moments before.
"Did Robert lead you to believe we were divorced?" Anne Marie asked bluntly.
"No."
"Had you been...physically involved before the two of us separated?"
Rebecca shook her head. "No. We...we weren't actually involved at all."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, physically - as you put it - we were." Rebecca shrugged. "I knew the two of you were going through some difficulties and that you were working toward a reconciliation. Mr. Roche didn't share much of his personal life with me, or anyone else for that matter.