that's too bad. Problems with the boyfriend?"
Ari scoffed. "Yeah, you could say that. But it's my own damn fault for being stupid. And blind." She took a sip of the drink Tammy had poured for her. "I met him when he was married. I figured it wasn't so bad if the marriage was already over, right? I mean, the guy was practically packing his bags with one foot out the door."
"Uh-huh," Tammy said. She was starting to get uncomfortable. "So what happened? He never left the wife after all?"
Ari laughed and shook her head. "Oh, he left her all right. There really was no love left in the marriage. I don't think those two had any like left. So he kicked her to the curb and we were supposed to live happily ever after, right?"
"Right." Tammy looked down the bar to see if anyone else needed her service.
"Right." Ari sighed. "Until he found another me. Version three-point-oh. I didn't marry the guy, but damn. All those fucking years of my life just wasted. You ever been in a situation like that? Just riding along watching him screw over some woman in his life? The whole time ignoring the fact that it could so, so easily happen to you?"
Tammy just smiled.
"God. Look at me. I'm sorry. I've seen way too many movies with people pouring their hearts out to the bartender. You could probably care less."
"It's all right."
Ari slid off the stool. "I'm going to leave you alone anyway. Sorry about unloading on you." She dropped some money on the bar. "Just do me a favor, huh? Learn from my mistake. Seeing how your man ends a relationship is a glimpse into the fucking future. I'll see you later, Tammy."
She blinked. "How'd you know my name?"
"On your nametag, there." Ari pointed. "Anyway. Thanks for the drink."
"Any time. Come again."
Ari waved over her shoulder as she walked out of the bar and into the sunshine. Tammy watched her go and looked down at the money on the table. She could hear Kent's voice as clearly as if he was speaking right next to her. "Don't think of her as a person, Tammy. Just remember she's a bitch who deserves every damn thing that's coming to her."
She rubbed her shoulder just above the collar of her T-shirt and went to refill someone else's drink as her mind raced.
#
Ari took a cold shower, her third that day. She dressed in baggy sweats and went into the kitchen to get something to eat. She hadn't been to the office since her discussion with Tammy Winter. Piper had given her the name of the bar, but Ari had been forced to go three times before Kent Robinson's mistress started her shift. She only hoped that her story had landed. She didn't know Tammy Winter, but no one deserved to be treated the way Piper had been. If she'd saved someone future grief, she considered it a good week.
And now, she was enjoying her splendid isolation locked inside her apartment. No contact with the outside world except for food deliveries. She left the money in an envelope taped to the door and insisted the delivery girl leave the food on the mat. She wasn't going to risk the canidae mind taking over her actions.
She had porn, she had a fine selection of accoutrements, and she would ride out this damn heat cycle until things settled down.
Ari sat on the couch with her feet propped on the edge of the coffee table, watching television. Apparently a lot of cable channels had started showing reruns of old sitcoms, so there were more options than just soap operas and court shows. She was halfway through a marathon of The Office, wondering when the hell Jim and Pam had gotten together, when there was a knock on the door.
"Just leave it on the mat!" She took another bite of her chocolate and the knock came again. "How much do I owe you?"
"I don't have anything to leave on the mat, and I actually owe you a check. From Piper. Open the door, Ariadne."
Ari put down her candy and went to the door. She twisted the locks and opened the door just enough to stick her head out, blocking the gap with her body. "Hey, Dale. What are you doing here?"
"I missed you. It's boring at work." She held up a white plastic bag. "I thought I would keep you company."
"Movies? Are they--"
"PG only. No sex, no romance, no nudity."
Ari stepped back