Page 109 of Beneath Her Skin

Yet, my mind keeps wandering back to what the stranger said to me last night.

“You’re not Mr. Kowalski’s Poppet?”

There’s got to be well over a few hundred people in the city named Kowalski. Hell, our graduating class alone has three who shared the last name, and they were all unrelated. And while I like to think I’m more unique than the average human, I look like every other generic white bitch in this city. Surely, he confused me for whatever fair skinned, blonde Barbie he’s been playing sugar daddy with behind his wife’s back. Heavens help him whenever the wife finds out, because hell hath no greater ferocity than a woman scorned.

Luckily, I don’t have to worry about that with Miles. We might have our issues, but he’s still good to me. He kisses me goodbye every morning before leaving for work. I get tea brought to me in bed every night that’s sure to give me the best night sleep of my life. He’s always there to support my hobbies, even if he doesn’t understand them. Miles works so damn hard at his job, becoming the youngest junior executive at his start-up company. I don’t have to worry about picking up a job because he basically makes two salaries, which is fucking ridiculous if you think about it. I didn’t even know start-up companies made that much money. The only time I have to worry about him is when he works late, and that’s only because I’m concerned about his safety.

My phone buzzes, causing the mattress to vibrate slightly. The motion makes Princess stir. She glares in the direction of the movement, gets up, and does exactly three circles before lying back down in her signature donut shape.

I already know who it is based on the vibration pattern. I purposely added specialty notifications to Miles and Brooke’s contacts, so I know which is trying to contact me when I’m deep in chores or reading. Miles has three short buzzes, followed by three long buzzes, finished with another set of short buzzes. Brooke is one, continuous buzz that lasts approximately five seconds.

This notification had one buzz, so it’s unmistakably Brooke.

Petty Bitch of the West

Bitchhhhhhh. Any updates today? *looking eyes emoji*

Mary Jojuana

Silent on all fronts.

Petty Bitch of the West

Soooooo…does this mean I can get more girls’ nights with my best friend??

Mary Jojuana

*eye roll emoji*

Petty Bitch of the West

Don’t even! I miss you and Miles doesn’t let you have fun like we used to *teary eyed emoji*

I stare at the last text.

I still have plenty of fun. It’s not always with Brooke, but I still go out with Miles. We go to movies and grab late night dinners. The only difference is I don’t gossip with Miles like I would with Brooke. Mostly due to the fact that he doesn’t care and he never listens. He always complains, “Why do I listen and give you advice when all you do is bitch?”And, in that instance, he doesn’t understand that I want to vent for the release, that not every complaint warrants an immediate fix.

And that’s the thought that makes me realize I do need girls’ nights. Even if they’re once a month. Having my female connections are an important part of who I am and that’s one of the few things I can’t get from this marriage.

Mary Jojuana

Fine, but only once a month AND I have to approve where we’re going ahead of time…

Petty Bitch of the West

Oh, bitch. BET.

I roll my eyes as I put my phone back on the bed, a smile forming. I’m already calculating how Brooke will find a loophole in this arrangement to go do all the most scandalous things she can find.

Picking up my book, I only get a few pages in before the phone is buzzing again. This time in sets of three—Miles.

My Love

On time tonight. Dinner better be ready when I get home.

Mary Jo

Yes, love.

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