“I’m not going back to work. I’m going to Mom and Dad’s to see the kids. They’re watching them this weekend.”
“Right. Carly’s going over there later too.” She sipped her wine. “Be an awesome little sister and take her out to dinner tonight.”
The waitress came back with their salads and a loaf of bread, and Jordan immediately ripped a piece from it and buttered it.
“Why? What are you doing?”
“I need to catch a meeting. It’ll also give me a break from the whole ‘let’s have a baby’ conversation.” She took a bite of bread and then washed it down with a drink of wine.
“Carly wants to have a baby?” That wasn’t surprising. Carly was great with Suzanna’s kids and always seemed to enjoy being around them.
“Yep. Started harping on me about it six months into our marriage and never lets up. I’m not ready for kids, at least not my own. Don’t know if I ever will be. I’m not sure how I got myself into this mess of a marriage.”
Wynn knew exactly how she’d done it. Jordan loved a challenge, and Carly was definitely that. She was knowledgeably witty, the kind of woman who thinks outside the box and voices her thoughts in the best possible way at the best possible moment. Exactly the reason Wynn had been attracted to her as well, not that she wasn’t also gorgeous. Jet-black hair and sea-green eyes flashed through her mind, and her stomach jumped. Gorgeous indeed.
“That’s an interesting way to think about the love of your life.” She broke off a piece of bread, buttered it, and took a bite. She needed something in her stomach before the effects of the wine kicked in.
“Yeah, well, her beauty may have misdirected me when we met, and then the phenomenal sex blinded me.”
“And now?” She took a gulp of wine and pushed the thought of Carly and Jordan having phenomenal sex from her head. Not what she wanted to hear at all.
“We just don’t seem to have the same life goals.”
“It’s a little late to figure that out, don’t you think?” She’d suddenly lost her appetite.
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know, and she won’t even consider separating, let alone divorce.” The waitress brought their bowls of stew, and each of them moved their salads to the side—Jordan’s almost completely devoured and Wynn’s barely touched. “I should blame it all on you. I have to admit I didn’t really notice her until I saw her talking to you at one of my events. She was radiant that night. Still is.” Jordan ripped off another piece of bread from the loaf. “It’s been nice having someone of her caliber and looks by my side. Too bad we’re not moving in the same direction.”
Her mind scattered. How could Jordan not want Carly? “Are you kidding me? I totally backed off because you said she was the one.”
“Hmm, that’s interesting. I didn’t know that.” Jordan tilted her head. “I would’ve enjoyed a little friendly competition.”
“You’re such an ass.”
“True. But you’ve known that since we were kids.” Jordan dunked a piece of bread into her bowl. “Why don’t you romance her now?” She bit off the stew-soaked edge.
“Because she’s your wife and that’s what you should be doing.”
“Look, it’s not like Carly doesn’t know we have issues. I spend half my evenings at my old place.” Jordan spooned a bit of stew into her mouth and swallowed. “Maybe she’d be happier with you.”
“She probably would be, but she doesn’t have a choice now, does she?” She should’ve been stronger, told Jordan to back off then.
“Of course she has a choice. She just has to climb down from that moral high ground she’s propped herself up on and let me go.” Jordan drained her glass of wine and refilled it as well as Wynn’s. “I’ve given her the choice. Either we get divorced or we open our marriage to others.”
“She’ll never agree to that.” She couldn’t believe how callous Jordan was, putting Carly in that position, letting her think she wasn’t good enough to satisfy her.
“I know. I’m hoping she’ll go for the divorce.”
“You know something? I hope so too.” She picked up her spoon and immediately dropped it. “Are you sleeping with someone else?”
“No.” Jordan shook her head. “But I’ve had offers.” She smiled and took another bite of bread.
That wasn’t news. Jordan always had someone interested. She knew Jordan would eventually sleep with other women and break Carly’s heart if she didn’t agree to her terms. Wynn pushed her plate away, unable to stomach the stew now. The bread and wine would have to get her through. She was so angry at Jordan right now she could strangle her. If Jordan had only left Carly alone that night last year, Wynn might very well have been the one she’d married and be planning to have a family with. She cursed herself for her part in the whole situation. She should’ve told Carly how she felt.
They’d shared a spectacular kiss that night last year, one that Wynn had never been able to completely erase from her mind. Then Jordan had swooped in and dazzled Carly with her charm. Once that happened, she’d never had a chance with Carly. When Jordan had told her a few days later that she’d taken Carly home that night and that they’d slept together, Wynn didn’t know what to think. She guessed the kiss hadn’t been special for Carly at all. Jordan had gushed about how she thought Carly was her perfect match and could be the one. That’s when Wynn had done what any good sister would do. She’d stepped aside, let Jordan take the lead, and disappeared from Carly’s life. That was the right thing to do, wasn’t it? Wynn had thought so at the time, but after listening to Jordan just now, she knew she’d made the wrong decision.
* * *
Carly glanced out at the ocean as she drove across the San Francisco Bay Bridge to her in-laws’ house nestled in the foothills of Orinda. She hoped one day to live in one of the many suburbs of the San Francisco Bay area, but hadn’t been able to get Jordan to commit to moving out of the city. Housing was scarce and expensive in Orinda, as it was in most Northern California suburbs. When you came across a home that even remotely fit your wants and needs, you had to move with light speed to get a contract. Bidding wars skyrocketing into the millions had become common in recent years. Howard and Maryanne had bought in the area long ago, when the homes were affordable and sparse, had remodeled several times and added a pool since then. Their house had more than tripled in value.
She hit the button on her remote for the gate and waited for it to swing open before driving to the house and parking in front of the multi-car garage flanking the two-story traditional-styled home. She could hear laughing and splashing from the pool, and her heart warmed as she walked the path that weaved through the large oak trees, stopping only to smell the heirloom roses on her way.
Suzanna’s kids were already here. Not wanting to wait another moment to see them, she headed directly to the backyard. Maryanne was relaxing in the padded chaise lounge under the expansive offset patio umbrella. As soon as her mother-in-law saw her, she smiled widely and waved her over.