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“Well, never say never. I was looking at BBC job postings yesterday when I was supposed to be doing data entry and I found a casting position in LA. Not that I’m qualified, but a girl can dream…”

“Maybe one day, eh? See anything else that looked good?” She deserves a break. She works so hard.

“A few entry-level jobs in production, a part-time assistant and a full-time one—right here in the New York office.”

“You should apply.” Ben squeezed her shoulder.

“I already did! I know it’s not LA, but I need to keep my options open.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to be scared about the future anymore. I need to focus on now, on Mom—you—” Her smile grew. “Mom’s appointment today was scary, but when the doctor said there was an option to donate…Ben, I felt so empowered! From now on, it’s like I’m scaling rocks again—I’m using everything I’ve got to hang on and keep climbing to help Mom beat this, once and for all.”

“You’ll like this, then.” Ben reached into his backpack. “I got you something the other day.” He pulled out a re-sealable plastic pouch.

Riley’s eyes immediately lit up. “Climbing chalk!”

“For a better grip on your climb, brave girl.” He kissed her cheek.

“Thanks, Ben, really…”

“Boyfriend did good?”

“Yeah, you did good, but it’s more than that.” She squeezed the pouch in her hands. “Thank you…for believing in me.”

Forty-Nine

Children darted around topiary and happy in-laws oohed and aahed as Erika and Scott—the new Mr. and Mrs. Perrault—kissed for the photographer, their loving embrace mirrored in the sunken garden’s reflecting ponds. Their historic venue, built in 1919 on Long Island’s wealthy Gold Coast, looked like a fairytale castle and was famous for celebrity weddings, movie shoots, and music videos. When Erika discovered Taylor Swift had filmed her “Blank Space” video there, she chose the gorgeous mansion for her and Scott’s special day.

Dodging the couple’s two hundred-plus guests, Riley led bowtie-wearing Stanley Pup on his leash around the vast property, careful to avoid grass stains on the hem of her lilac bridesmaid dress. Her sojourn also allowed her to elude Josh and his date as well as Leia, who had only traded stilted small talk throughout the festivities. So far, so good.

Stanley paused to gnaw on some grass, so Riley checked her phone, finding a text waiting from Ben.

Hey pretty mer-maid of honor, don’t cop off with any hockey-playin ushers!!! He also added to his ‘4 Riles!!!’ playlist with “I’m Your Man” by Wham!.

She giggled and glanced up, her breath catching. Shit! Leia, wearing an identical lilac dress, was striding toward her. Dread fluttered in Riley’s stomach. Great. Can I slip behind this tall bush? She checked in with Stanley. He was lifting his leg for a pee, scuttling her escape. Argh, right now, Pup?!

“Hey.” Leia raised her hand in a static wave, a blush of sunburn on the tip of her nose. “Beautiful day, huh?”

“Yeah.” Riley glanced skyward, trying to smile like she meant it. “Erika always gets what she wants.”

“I know. It’s sickening, isn’t it?”

Riley swallowed, trying to soothe the ache in the back of her throat. Stanley strained at his leash, sniffing Leia’s dress. What does she want?

“Um, I just wanted to have a private moment to…uh…” Leia sighed and clutched the diamond pendant resting on her décolletage. “Listen, what happened with me and Ben…”

Taking a deep breath, Riley stared Leia in the eye. Yikes, where is this going?

“Can I share my side of what happened?”

Riley responded with a wary nod.

Leia toyed with her pendant. “I was checking out strip clubs for Erika when I got a text, another rumor about Tyler—more cheating, a different girl. It felt like fucking Groundhog Day. I wanted to lash out and forget. I wasn’t sure what to do.” She shrugged. “I watched the dancers, had a few drinks, but they didn’t dull my anger. I could feel the need for revenge burning through me, so I thought, Fuck it. I took my rings off, hid ’em in my wallet, and then Ben sat at the bar…all friendly, blue eyes you could get lost in, and that British accent…”

For fuck’s…I don’t need to hear this! Riley broke eye contact and glared over Leia’s shoulder.

“He didn’t say he was a dancer. We got to talking and drinking, and that purple thong guy showed up. He pretty much begged Ben not to come home that night. He had nowhere to sleep, so…”

So, you fucked him—yeah, got it. Riley crossed her arms, met Leia’s gaze again, and saw…regret? Pain? Wait, she’s…not bragging. She’s…ashamed?

Leia squeezed her necklace tighter. “I slept with Ben to get back at Ty. I shouldn’t have bothered. I thought it would make me feel better…it didn’t.” She cleared her throat, the sparkly brilliance of her necklace, cushion-cut engagement ring, and diamond-encrusted wedding band firing glinty flares. “I used Ben to cheat on my husband. I broke my vows, something I thought I’d never do.”