I stopped at the lemonade cart and bought a frozen lemonade.It was far sweeter than I expected.I'd been hoping for tart, cold and refreshing.An umbrella became free when a pair of teens emerged looking blushed and not necessarily from the sun.The boy had long blond hair and a tan.Together they reminded me of Theo and me as teens, only we used to drive up to a lookout point to make out rather than a park umbrella.I snagged the vacant umbrella and sat down to enjoy my lemonade.
I was tempted to take out my phone and stare starry-eyed at Theo's picture again, but I told myself I was being an obsessed idiot and stretched back to rest in the strongest part of the shade instead.I stared out at the lake, watching people paddle in circles and putter across the glassy water.The sun's reflection was so strong it was hard to see anything past it.I rested all the way back, closed my eyes and was about to doze off when I heard a familiar laugh.The familiar laugh was followed by an equally familiar deep voice.I sat up and noticed a pair of loafers I recognized sticking out past the next umbrella in front of me.
I'd caught him.I'd caught my mostly pretend husband in the middle of a tryst.I was feeling just ornery enough to interrupt the fun.I picked up my drink, pushed to my feet and headed toward the laughter.I circled around."Well, well, well," I said lightly and then took a sip of lemonade.The sugary drink caught in my throat as George stared up at me in utter horror.His partner did too.It seemed my husband was having an affair … with his best friend Gabe.
Both men sat straight up as if they'd been prodded with a hot poker."Lacey, what the hell?What are you doing here?"I'd never seen Dr.George Plunkett, renowned surgeon, look so damn flustered.
"Just out for a walk," I said airily.Now that the shock had passed, I found nothing untoward about any of it."I didn't mean to interrupt."I peered up."Actually, that was my original plan, but now that seems like a boring idea.Carry on as if I was never here."I winked at Gabe and walked back to the path.My park visit had come to an interesting end.
I'd barely gotten inside the apartment and back into the comforting glory of air conditioning when the door opened.It was George.He looked beside himself.
"George, what are you doing home?Look, we both know that this marriage is just an act.I don't mind at all.In fact, I'm kind of relieved because you and I—well, our sex life sucked.Now I know why."
George ran his fingers nervously through his hair."You can't—this can't—my mother?—"
"Wait a minute.So that's why she was so insistent that we marry, even though she clearly hated my guts.Mutual feelings there, as you probably guessed."My flippant tone was upsetting him.He looked as if he was ready to throw up or pass out.I suddenly had far less animosity toward the man, and I actually felt sorry for him.I softened my tone."So, you have to hide in the closet because your mom doesn't want any embarrassment in her social circles.Her beautiful boy, her pride and joy is gay, and that doesn't cut it in her snooty, prudish world.How very last-century of her."
I walked to the kitchen and got each of us a glass of water.I handed one to him.George was always in charge, always strident and in control, but he looked positively wrecked.I motioned for us to sit on the ridiculously overpriced couch the interior designer had chosen.I hated everything about her choices, including the impractical snow-white couch.
We sat down and George chugged the water.I drank mine, too.The refreshing frozen lemonade hadn't been all that refreshing.It seemed my normally not-lost-for-wordshusbandwas just that—lost for words.I continued.
"It would explain why you started getting so short and cold toward me as we got closer to the wedding.And that wedding."I shook my head."Your mom made it the event of the century just to make sure people understood how super-duper straight you were."
George's face dropped."I'm so sorry about all of this, Lacey."He lifted his gaze."I am still fond of you.You are funny and sweet and smart.My parents told me I needed to date someone, a woman, of course, and find a proper spouse for when I was the head of the family.They also made it clear that they wouldn't leave the estate to me if I married Gabe.He's my one and only.I feel like shit that I brought you into this."
"I'm feeling a bit like a used piece of beef jerky right now."He looked miserable.I took his hand."George, is that estate really worth the heartbreak?I walked away from my one and only not once but twice, and I live with utter regret about it every day."
George smiled weakly."The man who came to take you on our wedding day?"
"Theo, yes.We were high school sweethearts.I never talked about him because it hurt too much."
George tilted his head to the side."He's pretty fucking hot."
I laughed."My god, he got even hotter, and I didn't think that was possible."George so rarely stepped out of his Dr.George Plunkett persona, it was nice to see a real person underneath.I supposed having his big secret out in the open helped.
We had a moment of laughter, which it seemed George really needed.As soon as the laughter faded, his smile went with it.
"Your secret is safe with me, George, but, seriously, is the estate worth it?You're a surgeon, a highly-respected one.I can't believe your sexuality would affect that."
George shrugged."You'd be surprised but, no, it wouldn't make much difference.It's hard, you know.I grew up with private planes and holiday homes all over the world."
"I know and confession time.That villa in France was the dreamiest place I've ever been.I can see why that would be hard to give up but at such a steep price?I mean, not ever being able to be with your one and only?"And then my own reality slapped me, and I slumped back against the very unwieldy couch cushions."Shit, what a couple of lovelorn losers we are, and all in the name of doing what we think society wants rather than what our souls are telling us we need."
"So, you'll go back to him?"George asked.
"Not sure he'll have me.I really fucked him over this time.But this couch chat is about you.I'll just tell you what I'd do.I'd let everyone in the whole fucking world know that Gabe is your one and only, and if people don't like that they can fuck off.It's the twenty-first century, after all.And I'd tell your parents that if they want you, their only child, to stay a part of their lives, then they'll look past their antiquated views and allow you to be happy."
George turned and gazed out the window.The sun was still blazing, and the sidewalks and surrounding buildings reflected laser-strength heat into the air."I'm going to think about it.Honestly, I think Dad will take it better than Mom."He turned back to me."I'm going to tell her the whole sham marriage is off, and you're not paying one cent for the wedding.I'll also see that you're taken care of financially.Fuck the prenup.You deserve a big reward for what we put you through.If Mom says no, then I'll let her know that Gabe and I will be announcing our engagement in the papers.That should squelch her protests before they even start."
I reached up and hugged him."Thank you, George."I sat back."But think about what we discussed.I know it's a lot to give up.Especially that damn French villa.Your happiness will never be complete.No matter how many fancy homes and cars you inherit, there will still be a hole in your heart."
"Smart words from a smart woman.And you?Where will you go?Of course, you're welcome to stay here.I don't mind.I think we ended up being pretty good friends.We will remain friends, right?"
"I don't see why not.After all, we were husband and wife."
"We can do a simple divorce, and I'll make sure you're well compensated.In fact, I know one of those snappy, savvy lawyers who does simple divorces right online."
I smiled."I'll bet your mom threw a fit when you told her I'd lost my big law firm job."
