Page 21 of The Wedding Driver
“Oh. It’s bad,” Foster said. “The woman I was having an affair with when Lisa died showed up on our date. I didn’t know what to say or do, so I acted like an asshole and we went home. End of story.” He downed the rest of his drink, grateful the waiter brought over his complementary one, along with Lake’s drink.
“Holy shit.” Lake leaned forward, sipping his beverage. “You really are into self-sabotage.”
“That’s not a helpful comment.”
“But it’s the truth.”
Foster couldn’t argue the point.
“Tonya’s a reasonable woman.” Lake said. “Probably the most pragmatic of the three sisters. Not that any of them can condone cheating, but we can all see where there might be a set of circumstances that—”
“Trust me, I’ve justified my actions, but there’s more to this story, and the person I need to have this conversation with is Tonya.” Even if she didn’t forgive Foster for his past bad behavior or how he treated her earlier, he owed her an apology and an explanation.
“I’m glad you realize that.”
Foster glanced at his watch. “It’s too late tonight and I’ve got work early, but hopefully she’ll hear me out tomorrow.”
“I’m sure she will.” Lake stood. “I better go save Nelson from my sister before she eats him alive.”
Foster decided to stay a little while longer and enjoy his drink along with the view, while going over in his mind all the things he planned on saying to Tonya.
6
Tonya sat at her kitchen table, staring at her computer, but she was unable to concentrate on work all day. Yesterday hadn’t gone as planned.
It started great. She had felt confident, and Foster had been sweet and romantic. He’d opened up to her about his fears and concerns. She understood his vulnerability and respected his boundaries.
However, she’d struggled to get past the situation with Kathy.
It wasn’t just that he’d cheated on his wife and that in all the years she’d been friends with Foster, that was something she hadn’t known. Of course, she figured there were many things about him that would be revealed to her as they got to know each other in a different, more intimate way.
But never in a million years would she have expected Foster to be the kind of man who would step out of his marriage.
She tried to remind herself how bad his relationship had been. Victoria had been doing heroin when she accidentally set the house on fire that killed their daughter, and almost killed herself. Foster had mentioned more than once that his ex-wife had checked out and that he was already thinking about divorce, but he had a daughter to consider, and she was his top priority.
Sleeping with another woman didn’t live up to that statement and Tonya struggled with her personal standards.
But it was the way in which Foster closed himself off that upset her the most. He hadn’t even given them a chance to discuss it.
Her cell buzzed.
Foster:Are you home?
She let out a sigh. She hadn’t reached out to Foster since their date. He’d texted her four times, asking if they could talk and she hadn’t responded yet.
Was she ready to listen to what he had to say now?
Tonya:Yes.
She stared at her phone, waiting for the three little bubbles to appear. Thirty seconds passed.
Nothing.
A minute.
Still, no bubbles. No text.
She tossed her cell back onto the table.
