When I don’t hear her laughing with me, I turn to face her.
Her face is sheet white, and I definitely just ruined the mood of the morning.
“What?” she asks, barely above a whisper.
Shit.
I tried to avoid talking to people about this. I got caught up in the moment with her and just let the words fly out of my mouth.
I sigh, knowing it had to get out at some point. “I was married before I came here. It was the reason that I moved out of the city. I was married to the mayor and learned of his infidelity when I was bringing him a batch of oatmeal cookies.”
“You can’t be serious? Oh my god,” she says, covering her face with her hands. “You should have said something when I asked you about being married. I’m so embarrassed now.”
“Don’t be. I guess you can say I am trying to run from that life. I said nothing because I don’t want to be known as the girl who got cheated on anymore. Ten months after my divorce, I had enough. The chatter behind my back just going to the store, and the friends who ghosted me when I was no longer his wife…it was all too much for me. Not to mention, I wasn’t able to be myself anymore. I was hiding at my sister’s apartment to avoid the criticism.”
“Jesus. I’m so sorry that happened to you,” Lily says sympathetically.
“Don’t be. I’m really okay.”
And none of that is a lie. Since the divorce, I’ve had my moments. I’ve still shed some tears. However, things have never been better than my life today. I’m happier and feel at peace with this new atmosphere and friends.
It’s actually the first time sharing this story out loud with someone other than Kodi, and I didn’t cry.
That’s huge for me.
“Was the divorce recent?” she asks.
I shake my head. “It was quick, actually. I moved out the evening I found him. Taking Reginald, a few belongings, and myself to live with my sister. He didn’t beg me for anything other than out penthouse we owned together. He said he would be ‘politically fine without me.’”
“What a jerk.”
I scoff, letting out a scoff. “Tell me about it. I haven’t askedmy sister for an update on him either. I don’t want to know how he’s doing, if he’s running for office again, or hell, if he’s already married to that secretary now.”
“You think he will want you to take him back if he needs it? You know, for political exposure.”
The thought never crossed my mind.
“I doubt it,” I tell her. “He knows where my head was at when we ended. I wanted nothing to do with him. Besides, he probably has no idea I even moved out of the city.”
“Good.”
“It’s why I’m just focusing on my life right now. I’m learning more and more about myself and how to be independent without being in a relationship. Like this is my firstrealjob as an adult,” I tell her.
“No way,” she says shocked.
I nod. “I know that sounds really out there. A twenty-nine-year-old who’s never had a real job until now. But like I’ve told you before, I grew up with overbearing parents. I had life handed to me on a silver platter.”
“I know what you mean,” Lily says. “It’s why this bakery is my pride and joy.”
I offer her a soft smile. “After everything I went through, I realized I never want to settle again. Not in any part of life, including a job or a relationship. If it happens again, I know I want that big, loud type of love when it comes around.”
“And you deserve that, Blair. Between the story you told me the first day I met you about your parents, and now this? No one should ever have to go through that.”
I nod, unsure how to respond because she’s right.
“You know, you and Griffin are a lot more alike than you think.”
“You mean he’s afraid of the neighborhood moose too?” I joke to ease the tension forming in my gut.
