Elizabeth nodded her head with a grin. “You are one of the dumbest girls I have ever met, but I like your attitude.” She took a puff off her cigarette and blew the smoke up into the air. “How’d you two meet?”
“I worked with him at the company.”
“Do you still work there? Is that even legal?”
“Yes, it’s legal, and no, I don’t work there. You’re not rooting for us at all. I could tell the second I saw you.”
“That man has been systematically chipping away at my patience for years. You know what he calls me, right? The first wife.”
I tried so hard not to laugh, but I couldn’t hold it back.
“It’s not funny,” Elizabeth said, her face turning red.
“I’m sorry.” I couldn’t stop. “You have to admit; he’s got a pretty good sense of humor.”
“It’s sick is what it is.” Elizabeth took another puff of her cigarette.
“You just called him Satan,” I said. “Compared to that, first wife isn’t so bad.”
A middle-aged woman with bright red hair walked out and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “Hey, ladies,” she said.
“This is Jake’s one-nighter.” Elizabeth ashed her cigarette.
“Does she have a name?” the red-haired woman asked.
“I’m Maria.” I held out my hand, and she shook it. I couldn’t help but admire her casual grace, and her simple T-shirt and jeans look.
“I’m Cara. Nice to meet you.”
“We were just talking about Jake’s nickname for me,” Elizabeth said sourly.
“The first wi
fe,” Cara said and laughed. “Oh, yeah. Don’t let Elizabeth get you down. She’s just bitter because Jake took Andrew to Vegas last year and she couldn’t catch him doing anything.”
“He smelled like a whorehouse,” Elizabeth said.
“Then he probably went to a strip club.” Cara lit her cigarette, then looked back. A young woman with olive-toned skin and long black hair leaned out the door and stared at me.
“Are you the one?” she asked, stepping out.
“I guess I am,” I said.
“You are one stupid, stupid girl.” She laughed and sat down next to me.
“This is Maddie,” Cara said.
“Don’t bother telling me your name,” Maddie said. “By the time I remember it, he’ll be onto the next one.”
“You two are so cynical. Can’t you just be happy for her?”
“Happy?” Maddie balked. “We should be in mourning. Poor girl won’t last a week.”
“It’s been five months,” I said.
“Oh, you poor dear.” Maddie patted me on the shoulder. “Are you okay? I know a few domestic violence shelters. There is help out there if you need it.”
Cara leaned in to whisper in my ear. “She’s just pissed because she’s had a crush on him for years.”