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Ruby and Magnolia are the last ones to complete the circle, so no introductions needed there. I’ve already had that honor.
“She’s Jake’s newest squeeze.” Magnolia says it sweetly, her tone inferring a compliment, but I know it’s anything but. Newest squeeze is never a compliment.
No one in the circle seems to care either way. They just nod and smile.
It does seem to grab another woman’s attention, though. She’s talking to someone behind Ruby, a head taller, her curls so bleached no shine in them remains. She turns, scanning the circle to see who Magnolia could be talking about. I guess she knows the others and does the math in her head. Her eyes zero in on me.
“What do you do, Scarlett?” Mrs. Betsy asks.
“I manage a restaurant in the city.” I take another sip of mimosa to wash down the lie. It came out easier this time. Easier than the lie about my last name, anyway.
“That’s nice, dear,” she replies, but she doesn’t ask any more questions. I guess it’s as unimpressive to her as it was to Magnolia last night.
The circle goes quiet.
Someone catches Magnolia’s eye, and she raises a hand to get this person’s attention. Ruby follows her line of sight and perks when she sees who it is. He or she must be more interesting than us because Magnolia says, “Excuse me, ladies. Please enjoy the hors d’oeuvres. Brunch will be served soon.” Without waiting for our responses, she and Ruby leave and the rest of us stand awkwardly for a moment before dispersing.
That’s when blondie swoops in. “Scarlett?” she says. She smiles so big I’m afraid her fake lips might pop.
“Yeah, I…” Do I know her? “Hi.”
“I’m Joanna.” She doesn’t shake my hand.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Sorry,” she says with a half-hearted giggle. She must have read my confusion. “I was listening to your conversation. We’ve never met.”
“I didn’t think so.” I slap on a rivaling smile.
“So, you’re Jake’s newest squeeze, huh?” Her eyes rake over me, but she maintains her lightness. She’s one of the women with her breasts spilling out of her silk cobalt dress. Fake lashes. Fake tan…judging by the time of year.
Wait…blue dress.
I inwardly scoff at myself. Stop being stupid.
A waiter pops a tray between us. “Quiche, ladies?”
“No thanks,” Joanna and I say in tandem.
He promptly leaves.
“Is Jake here?” she asks. Her head cocks when she says it. I’m sure it’s strange to her that a ‘new squeeze’ would be hanging around his family home without him. Understandably so.
Or maybe she’s hoping to see him. She’s probably also seen headlines that he’s not at the race.
“Nope,” I lie. “Just me.”
“Oh.” That seems to take her aback. I can tell she wants to ask more but sips her drink instead.
I take the bait. “How do you know him?”
She doesn’t hesitate. Almost chokes on her drink to get it out. “We used to date.”
Oh. She was definitely hoping to see him, then. And, just like a real girlfriend, jealousy swells inside. “Oh,” I say. “You did?”
“Like, a couple years ago.”
I have a hard time finding what to say next, so she takes the opportunity to continue. “I was no match for that family, though.” She pauses, so I’ll ask the obvious question.
