Page 62 of Together

“You’re so ridiculous.” She laughs. “To answer your question, he fessed up to having sex with her but promised he was finished with it. He had a momentary lapse in judgment. It happens.”

“It happens?”

“Well, it’s far from ideal but it’s not worth tossing away a marriage for it. I believe him when he said he won’t do it again because I saw how truly sorry he was. Plus, I’m pretty sure it was a midlife crisis.”

I’m so confused but honestly, this conversation is so dumb and annoying, I’ll just end it now. “Grace, I’ll support you, but I need to be honest with you. I feel like you’re heartbroken but you’re trying to brush it off like it’s no big deal to save face. And if that’s the case, then I’m sad for you because no one would think less of you if you admitted that you’re upset that your husband cheated.”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t upset, Ashley. But I’m a grown woman who can look at life logically.”

I have no words for her. Grown women can’t be upset? Women who are sad because their husbands cheat are illogical? Nothing she’s saying is making any sense. Maybe she’s the one going through a midlife crisis and is losing her mind.

“Like I said, I’m here to support you however you need. Iamsorry you’re going through it, though.”

“Thank you, sis. That’s all I need right now, your support.”

“Then that’s what you’ve got.”

“What time is your appointment tomorrow?”

“Nine.”

In the background, I hear what sounds like her closing up her office. I’ve been on the phone with her at this hour enough to know the telltale signs of her locking her file cabinets and zipping up her computer bag.

“You excited?”

“Yeah, I am. I’m also a little nervous, too. What if they can’t hear the heartbeat?”

“Then they’ll do it vaginally. The baby is healthy, though, and so are you, so there shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“Right.” I nod and switch my phone to speaker so I can wash my face and brush my teeth. Just like me being used to talking with Grace while she’s moving around her office and working while we’re on the phone, she’s used to the same with me. Only, the things that I do are at home.

“And Nik’s been good? Do we need to do anything official for his side of things yet? I know it’s early, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”

Around my toothbrush, I mumble, “Stop being a lawyer, Grace. It’s not a good look.”

“It’s my only look, you ass.”

“That’s why I said it’s not a good look,” I tease, laughing at myself. Toothpaste spews out of my mouth and splatters the mirror.

“Bitch.” She laughs.

“Takes one to know one,” I counter, spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing out my mouth.

“Mom and Dad spoiled you too much.”

“Uh huh. Find a new comeback, girl.”

I hear her car beep like she’s just unlocked the car door and then the door shuts. “Fuck, it’s cold out,” she complains.

“Isn’t the garage you park in heated?”

“It is but it’s not all toasty warm. It doesn’t take all the chill out, though. Especially when the high is like two.”

“True,” I murmur, keeping my lips pressed together while I wash my face.

“What did you eat tonight?”

“Why?”

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