“I didn’t see you there, Mark.” Her lips curved into a devilish expression.
“Oh . . . hey, Olivia,” Mark stammered. She brushed her arm past his chest, grabbing a vodka soda from the bar top, and bringing the straw to her lips. She sucked and made a satisfied sound when she finished. Tiny beads of sweat formed at Mark’s hairline. I wasn’t sure what was going on between them, but it was odd. His eyes were locked on her lips. She took the lime from her drink and bit into it, sucking up all the juice.
“Hey.” Keisha tapped me on the shoulder, leaning into me. “Thanks for this,” she held up the drink.
“No worries. Sorry about Olivia. She’s—”
“A bitch,” Keisha interrupted.
I laughed and nodded.
We locked eyes as we extinguished our laughter with sips of champagne. There was something in the way Keisha looked at me that made me feel as though I’d known her forever. I felt so at ease in her company, as though I could drop the fa?ade and actually be myself. It was a strange and unaccustomed feeling. But I liked it.
Just past Keisha, I spotted Shannon making the rounds. She was trying to show how strong she was and that a broken marriage wouldn’t break her. I admired her for her strength, and I couldn’t imagine what she was going through. Her marriage fell apart so publicly, and then she had to watch her husband remarry a much younger woman just months later. I sat with her so many nights as she lounged around her home, dressed in oversized sweatpants, eating ice cream straight from the container, and crying about how her life was over. But tonight, she was a whole other woman, and she looked like a million bucks. Her sparkly silver Versace dress outshone Olivia’s. Her heels were high. Her golden hair draped down, softly curling along the ends, and her makeup was full of exquisite effort. Clearly Jenny’s work.
I waved her over. She resisted for a moment with a slight shake of her head. I waved again and smiled, mouthing, “Come here.”
She slumped her shoulders in defeat but then raised them again and strutted over to the group. I knew it might be awkward with Olivia and Crystal—and Bryce, for that matter. But Olivia was preoccupied with my husband, talking about God knows what. She was a patient of his, so maybe that was it. I made a mental note to ask him about it later. Bryce was deep in whispered conversations with Dean, and Crystal meant no harm. This was Shannon’s event. She had planned the whole damn thing, and she deserved to feel comfortable, to socialize with whomever she wanted, and to enjoy herself.
“Hi, honey,” Shannon said, giving me a hug, careful not to spill the drink she picked up on the way over. She hugged Jenny and Keisha. Shannon looked at Crystal and said through tight lips, “Hello, Crystal.”
Crystal did this awkward nod mixed with a slight curtsy. She was clearly tipsy. “Hi, Shannon.”
“This event is so beautiful. You did a wonderful job.” I motioned around the room. Jenny, Keisha, and even Crystal gushed their compliments as well.
Shannon blushed. “Thank you. I’m thrilled it came together so well. At least I have this and the Buckhead Women’s Foundation,” she said with a laugh.
The guilt sat heavy in my stomach.
Olivia turned from Mark and reentered the circle of women.
Shannon raised her chin at her. “Hello, Olivia.” Her greeting was curt.
“Hello, Shannon.” Olivia held out two shots of a clear liquid. She extended one to Shannon. “I want to commend you on this event. It came together. Cheers,” she said with a smile.
Shannon appeared a bit apprehensive, but her face relaxed as she clinked the shot glass against Olivia’s. They tossed them back and gave each other looks of approval.
“Thanks, Olivia. I’m glad we can make amends and get back on track.” Shannon nodded.
“As am I,” Olivia said with a grin.
It looked like the two were getting along again, and maybe this night wouldn’t be a disaster after all. Jenny and Crystal were quietly chatting about the purse she had left at the salon. I turned to Keisha. She was zoned out with a hundred-mile stare. Her slender fingers held the stem of an empty champagne glass.
“Want to grab a drink at the bar with me?” I asked.
Keisha looked at me with a twinkle in her eye. She nodded an enthusiastic yes.
15
Shannon
Olivia handed me another drink. I thanked her and took a sip. It was heavy on the vodka, light on the soda. I couldn’t believe she was being so nice to me. It was like how it was before Bryce and I divorced. It gave me hope that I could have a bright future with or without him.
“I’m sorry I haven’t checked in on you, Shannon. I’ve just been stressed and not feeling like myself. How have you been?” Olivia asked. She took a small sip from her drink, and her face turned sympathetic.
Before I could open my mouth, a middle-aged woman named Bethany filled in the gap in the circle beside me. She was thin and dressed in all black.
She leaned in, “So sorry to hear about your husband.” Bethany placed her hand on my shoulder and gave me a look of pity.
I blinked several times, trying my hardest not to roll my eyes. “What? Did he die?”
She squeezed my shoulder, “You’re so strong. I wouldn’t be able to show my face if I were you.”
“Where is your husband, Bethany?” Olivia cut in. She dramatically glanced around the room, pretending to look for him. Everyone knew full well he was not there.
Bethany let out a small cough. “He’s with his niece.”
Olivia tightened her eyes. “Is that what you call his mistress?”
Bethany gave her a harsh look, raised her shoulders, and stormed off without another word.
I looked to Olivia, surprised because she had come to my defense. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Besides, the only difference between you and her is that your husband left you, while Bethany’s is still having his cake and fucking it too,” Olivia spat.
She let on a hearty laugh, and I chuckled too.
“What was that about?” Jenny asked.
“More condolences.” I rolled my eyes and looked down at my Cartier watch.
“Some people are just vile.” Olivia shook her head.
She glanced down at her watch too and turned toward the bar. When she turned back, Olivia had another shot in her hand. This time it had a yellowish tint. “Here, Shannon. Your big moment is almost here. Tequila will help.”
I hesitated for a moment, but then took it from her and tossed it back. I checked the time once more. I had less than five minutes before I had to be onstage to introduce Bryce. I had almost backed out, but I wanted to show everyone that I was strong and capable, with or without a husband. I wanted Bryce back, but sometimes, I found myself wanting me back more—the me I was before him. Tonight made me feel like I could have that.
“Let me walk you to the stage,” Olivia said, grabbing my hand.
I looked down at her hand and then at her face. She gave an encouraging smile.
“Okay,” I said.
The first step I took was wobbly. Those drinks had hit me quickly. My vision was a little blurry, but I felt beyond confident—like I could take on the world. I smiled at people as Olivia led me through the crowd. They threw compliments at me, and I thanked them. This was where I was supposed to be. I was Shannon Madison with or without Bryce. We stopped off to the side of the stage.
Olivia placed her hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eye . . . only I was seeing two Olivia’s.
“Shannon, you’re going to do great. Bryce will be up here shortly, so you can introduce him,” she said.
I nodded or at least I think I did.
“I just want to say congratulations on your last event as chairwoman. You did a wonderful job, but I’ll be taking the reins from this point on.” She smiled . . . twice, or maybe once. I closed my eyes for a moment and shook my head slightly, trying to make sense of her words.