Passion Play

“Oh, Rose. I’m so sorry.” Concern darkened Lily’s whiskey eyes. “I can understand how that would hurt.”

“Thank you.” Rose had never been comfortable expressing her feelings, but Lily’s caring made it easier. “I’d been uncomfortable about going to my reunion when I thought it was going to be just Ben and his wife. Now that I know his wife is pregnant, I’m even more uneasy.”

“What do you have to be uncomfortable about?” Lily tilted her head. “You’re not the one who was cheating on your fiancée for two years. Ben and his wife should be the ones who are uncomfortable.”

“I agree with what you’re saying, logically. But you know feelings aren’t always logical.” Rose wished she was more like Lily, calm and rational.

“I know.” Lily inclined her head, the image of grace and serenity. “That’s why we have to think before we act so we aren’t impulsive. That’s what you’re always telling Iris.”

Iris, the impetuous one.

Restless and impatient, Rose stood from the love seat to pace the living room. Her stocking feet sank into the plush, violet carpeting that Lily had had installed last year.

“I have thought about it, Lil.” Rose crossed from the love seat to the fireplace. “I’ve given it a lot of rational consideration, and I’ve decided that I want to hurt Ben. A lot.”

“I understand.” Lily’s voice carried from behind Rose, where she remained on the sofa. “When Ben hurt you, I wanted to hurt him a lot, too. But you’re going about it the wrong way.”

“You think the right way is going to the reunion alone?” Rose turned toward her sister. Irritation flooded her veins like an electrical current. “I’m after revenge, not a higher level of enlightenment.”

“How will showing up at the reunion with a fake date avenge you?” Lily’s voice was frustratingly calm.

“Not just any fake date—someone who’s more attractive, successful and intelligent than Ben.” Someone like Donovan, her mind whispered. Rose shook her head to banish the voice.

“But he’d be a fake. That doesn’t prove that you’re over Ben. That just proves that you’re creative.”

Rose didn’t appreciate her sister’s attempt at humor. “The Constant Classmates are pitying me. I don’t want to get the same looks and comments from the rest of my class.”

Lily shifted forward on the sofa. “Rosie, if you pander to other people’s reactions and judgments, you’ll exhaust yourself. Don’t follow other people. Be yourself.”

“I am being myself.” Rose paced away from the fireplace and back to the love seat. “It’s my own idea to get a fake fiancé.”

“Can you even hear yourself?” Lily seemed part amused, part frustrated. “You’re going to be yourself by doing something fake. That doesn’t make sense.”

“Not to you because you’re a confident person.” Rose leaned forward, resting her forearms on her knees and linking her fingers together. “I used to be confident, too. Ben took that from me.”

“Then take it back.” Lily ran her fingers through her wavy, shoulder-length hair. Her movements were graceful. “I know Ben shook your self-confidence. Do you think it’s easy for me to see you like this?”

“I’d feel better if I could get even.”

“You’re giving Ben too much power.”

Rose expelled an impatient breath. She rubbed the knotted muscles in her right shoulder.

“Lil, are you going to help me or not?”

Lily frowned her confusion. “What can I do?”

Rose hesitated. “Do you know any eligible men who might be willing to be my date for the reunion?”

Lily seemed to consider the question. Rose appreciated that. At least she didn’t dismiss Rose’s request immediately.

“No, I’m afraid I don’t.” Lily offered a smile. “The men I know are either in relationships or you don’t have to ask why they aren’t.”

“It sounds like we know a lot of the same men.” Rose’s tone was wry.

“Have you asked Iris?”

“She doesn’t know anyone suitable.” Donovan’s image taunted Rose.