Something Blue - Emily Giffin [26]
"It's a long story," I said, my eyes filling with tears as I thought about Dex in Rachel's closet. Despite all my plans to the contrary, I just couldn't resist telling her. I needed her sympathy and full support. I needed her to tell me that Dex could not possibly be interested in boring old Rachel. So I dropped the bomb on her. "We broke up this weekend, and then, yesterday afternoon, I caught Dex and Rachel together."
"What?" Claire's mouth fell open.
I nodded. "You're telling me."
"What do you mean 'together'? Are you sure?"
"Yes. I went over to talk to Rachel about this whole situation and Dex was there, in his boxers, all crouched down, hiding in her closet."
"No!"
"Yes," I said.
"Oh. My. God." Claire covered her mouth with both hands and shook her head. "I—I don't even know what to say. I just can't… what in the world was he thinking? What was she thinking? How could they?"
"Please don't tell anyone," I said. "It's all so humiliating. I mean, my maid of honor!"
"Of course not. Cross my heart," Claire said, making a big X over her bubble-gum-pink twin set. She gave me a few seconds of respect-
ful silence before launching into Q&A mode. "Was it a one-time thing?" she asked.
"It had to be a one-time thing, don't you think?"
"Oh. I'm sure. Dex would never like her," she said.
"I know. I just can't see it. There's no way, right?"
"No way. He just couldn't go from you to her. She's just so plain, and… I don't know… I know she's your best friend so I don't want to say anything bad—"
"What? She is so not my best friend anymore. I despise her."
"I don't blame you," Claire said solemnly, ready to step up and fill Rachel's bland shoes.
I threw her the bone she so craved. "You're my best friend now."
Claire clasped her hands together and looked at me as though she might cry. Ever since our roomie days together, Claire had jockeyed for position as my most favored friend. At times, she was downright obsequious. But it was what I needed at that moment, and she delivered. "Oh, Darce. I'm totally here for you."
"Thanks," I said. "I appreciate that."
"We're going to have the best time hanging out as single girls again," she said. "What are you doing tonight? Henry Fabuss is throwing a big bash at Lotus this evening—for his thirtieth. We should totally go. He's such a hoot—and he's so totally dialed in, you know? Everyone's going to be there. It would really get your mind off this."
"Not tonight," I said. "I think I just need some alone time. In fact, I think I'm going home now. I can't stand being here—and I don't want anyone to see me crying."
"Want me to come with you? I'm sure Cal would let me leave with you," she said. "We could go shopping. Retail therapy."
"No, thanks. I think I want to be alone," I said, even though I was actually planning to be with Marcus.
"Okay," she said, obviously disappointed. "I understand."
"I just need to get this e-mail out before I leave. Can you read it see what you think?"
Proofing my e-mails used to be Rachel's role. She had been so good at it. I vowed to banish her from my thoughts. She was persona non grata until her apology came forth in skywriting. Meanwhile, Claire took her job seriously, leaning in close to my monitor, and reading the e-mail twice. She finally looked up, gave me a brisk nod, and said it was fine, just fine. So I hit send and sashayed down the hall, relishing the stares and whispers from my colleagues along the way.
* * *
nine
Marcus agreed to leave work early and meet me back at his apartment, where we had fantastic sex. Afterward, I rested my head on his chest and told him my conference room tale.
"I'm surprised you didn't jet with the Tiffany box," he said after I had finished the story.
"I wanted to," I said. "I bet it was something good… Oh, well. We'll get a replacement when you and I get married."
No response.
"Do you want to talk about that?" I probed, stroking his arm.
"Talk about what?"
"Us getting married."
"Um—okay. What exactly do you want to talk about?"
"Well,