Page 101 of About that Fling
“You did,” Jenna said, squeezing her hand again. “As your wife, I appreciate it.”
“Thanks.”
“So,” Jenna said, clearing her throat. “What the hell was going on back at the house? I feel like I walked in on some sort of heated discussion between you and your ex.”
Mia set down her menu. “Was it that obvious? Adam and I were having a few words.”
“A few words?” Jenna knew she shouldn’t push, but she couldn’t stop wondering what they’d been fighting about. “Sounded intense.”
“I guess.” Mia closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head. “I don’t know what got into me.”
“You’re stressed, for one thing.” A fierce wave of sympathy rolled over her, swirling with guilt in her chest. “You’re hugely pregnant, your workplace is in turmoil, and your husband just pulled a no-show.”
“Is this supposed to be cheering me up?”
Jenna winced. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I was bitchy to Adam, and he didn’t deserve it. I’ll email him an apology as soon as I get home. It’s just—I get so angry sometimes.”
The waiter reappeared at their table, set down a plate of focaccia, and discreetly cleared his throat. “Congratulations, ma’am and—um, ma’am. Can I get you started with some drinks or appetizers?”
Mia consulted the menu. “I don’t see them on here, but do you still have those bacon-wrapped apricots?”
“For VIP guests, yes.”
Jenna gritted her teeth. “And do we qualify?” She rested a hand over Mia’s. “My wife and I feel very important.”
“Very,” Mia agreed.
The waiter harrumphed again and turned on his heel. “I’ll see what I can do,” he mumbled over his shoulder.
“He’s going to spit in them, isn’t he?” Mia asked.
“Probably.” Would it be too obvious if she steered the conversation back to Mia’s heated chat with Adam?
But Mia had other topics in mind. She shifted the roses so the prettiest blooms faced Jenna. “Don’t you love the color of these?”
“They really are pretty.”
Mia sighed. “I’m trying not to be mad at Mark right now. I’m trying to be compassionate.”
“How’s that going?”
“Not great.” Mia sighed again. “Look, I get that he can’t make it to every birthing class, but this was the last one, and we’d made such a big deal about it. It wouldn’t be so bad if he was caught up in traffic or having gall bladder surgery or visiting some sick relative, you know? But fixing the roof on his ex-wife’s house?”
“You said yourself it was all about Katie. About needing to fix the roof over her bed.”
“Right, right—I know.” She picked up a piece of focaccia, but didn’t take a bite. She just flipped it around in her fingers, fiddling with it like a worry stone. “It’s just—well, there’s a guest room at Ellen’s place. How hard would it be to move Katie’s things for a couple nights and call a repairman after the holiday weekend?”
“Maybe it’s a guy thing? He wants to be the rescuer. That can be a pretty strong male instinct.” She picked up her own piece of bread, trying not to think about the story Adam had shared in the car. The one about Mia desperate and alone on the side of the road asking Adam for another chance.
The waiter appeared again with a disgruntled look on his face, and Jenna felt a fresh wave of need to protect Mia. For crying out loud, all the woman wanted was a nice dinner in her final weeks of pregnancy. She didn’t need snotty waiters or absent husbands or?—
Or a best friend sleeping with her ex.
“I regret to inform you the bacon-wrapped apricots are unavailable.” He didn’t look the least bit regretful.
Jenna sighed. “Then we’ll need just a little more time with the menu.”
