“I assumed you would.” Cameron snorted a laugh. “Just don’t tell Rob.”
Vera gasped even louder than before as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Rob,” she whispered, moving her hand to her cheek. “I forgot about Rob.”
“Something tells me Mel did too.”
“Oh, my god.” Vera buried her face in her hands for a moment before looking back at Cameron. “You need to talk to Melanie and soon, okay? You know how her brain is. She’s probably been overthinking everything all night. Especially since,” Vera abruptly stopped, “well.”
“Especially since what?”
Vera looked as if she was about to tell the biggest secret in the world. Cameron knew that look because it was the one she got when she was trying to remain professional and calm but secretly happy. Like when she was about to tell a person they were pregnant.
“Oh, my god, she’s not pregnant, is she?”
“No,” Vera shook her head adamantly, “no. I just overheard her on the phone with Blaire Anderson the other day.”
Blaire Anderson? The lawyer?
That could only mean one thing.
“Oh, shit.”
“Yeah.”
“Poor Mel.”
“I don’t know anything so this is all speculation.” Vera shrugged her shoulders. “Except the kiss. There’s no speculation there. The goofy look on your face earlier told me that much.”
“I hate that you know me so well.”
“The benefits of knowing you most of my life.” Vera playfully winked at her. “But on the flip side of that, I will be asking you constantly if you’ve talked to Melanie because I can’t have this lingering over my two best friends. Especially not while still casually hanging out with both of you as if I don’t know anything.”
“Which you don’t, by the way.”
“Then you better talk to her. Sooner rather than later.” Vera’s tone was one she usually only reserved for patients when she needed to be firm, so Cameron knew she meant business.
As the two friends went back to their day, Cameron pulled out her phone as she sat at her desk. She opened her text thread with Melanie and typed out a message.
Hey, everything okay? You left in a rush last night, and I haven’t heard from you today. Just wanted to check in.
Cameron sat her phone down to work on her computer, but it wasn’t long before Melanie responded.
I’m okay. Had a lot to think about after last night. I spent the night at Palmer’s because I couldn’t imagine going home.
Palmer Thompson was Melanie’s coworker and close friend. The two had worked in labor and delivery together for years and were very close. She was also pretty, but that didn’t matter. Cameron didn’t have time to decipher why she was so jealous that Melanie spent the night at Palmer’s house before she got another text.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss.
Me either.Cameron texted back with a smiley emoji.
I’m glad to hear that.Melanie added a heart to the end of the message, then another one came through.I’m about to head home. I have to talk to Rob. Are we still on for drinks with Isla and Vera on Saturday?
Cameron was torn with how to answer. On one hand, she wanted to see Melanie before girls’ night. She wanted to make sure they were okay and to clarify what the kiss meant for Melanie. Because Cameron knew what it meant to her. But on the other hand, Melanie could very well be ending her marriage. A marriage that she’d been in since her twenties. And Cameron couldn’t imagine how that must feel, even if Melanie wanted that.
We are and I’m here to talk anytime. I love you.
I love you, too.
Staring at the words, Cameron sent up a prayer to whoever was listening that Melanie would be okay, no matter what happened when she got home.
