Barbara Levenson - Mary Magruder Katz 03 - Outrageous October Read Online Free Page B

but still I couldn’t erase the picture of Carlos and Margarita.
    Lucy was quiet for a while. Finally she closed her window and asked if she could drive. I pulled onto the shoulder of the road and switched places with my forever best friend who eased the car back to the traffic of Miami Beach. She stopped in her driveway and led me into her house.
    After the babysitter was dispatched and the two older boys sent to their room, Lucy poured two glasses of brandy and set them on the coffee table in front of us. She sat on the sofa next to me.
    “Oh, God, Lucy what am I going to do? I thought Carlos was the one right guy at the right time in my life. I thought I knew him, but I must have closed my eyes to his ability to lie so smoothly. He told me, right to my face, that he was going to a business meeting. Now I wonder how many other times he pulled this crap.”
    “Mary, I am so sorry. Why did I have to pick that restaurant? I feel awful.”
    “It’s not your fault. I would have found out eventually and that might have been worse. It’s just a shock. It’s better to know where I stand now. I feel like such a fool. I thought I was a better judge of people. That’s what I get for mistaking lust for love. I’ll get rid of this rock of a ring and make a clean break.”
    “Maybe there’s some explanation of why he was with her. You need to give yourself some time to think, like a time-out that I make my kids take.”
    “I do need some time away, but not to think. I have to break this off with Carlos. The one thing I can’t forgive is being lied to; that, and being part of a triangle. I guess that’s two things I can’t forgive.”
    “Listen, you’re exhausted. You work without a break or a vacation. I’ve got a great idea. Why don’t you go up to Vermont for a couple of weeks and use my house there? I’ve been trying to get you to go ever since my grandmother left me the house. You’ll love it, especially right now with the leaves changing colors, and the crisp autumn days. We’d be up there ourselves if Steve wasn’t getting ready for a big trial.”
    “Maybe it would be good to get out of here for a while. Where is it exactly?”
    “It’s in the Upper Connecticut River Valley near a cute village called High Pines, and you can take Sam. I know you never go anywhere without that dog. Trust me. It’ll be totally relaxing. Absolutely nothing ever happens in High Pines.”

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    CHAPTER
    NINE
    I tried to go to sleep but I tossed and turned, My bed felt alien with the smell of Carlos surrounding me.. Finally I got up and changed the sheets. I tried again but I was fully awake. I gave up and raided the fridge where I found a leftover slice of pizza and a half eaten, fully forgotten carton of Moo Goo Guy Pan from the Chinese carryout near the office. I nuked them both in the microwave and ate a few bites. The strange meal made me nauseous to look at it. I couldn’t remember the last time I didn’t want to eat.
    I settled in the living room and tried to focus on the plan to leave for Vermont. Sam jumped up on the sofa and nestled his head in my lap. At least I still had one loyal male in my life.
    I tried to count the good things in my life like Mother always told me to do when I was unhappy. I still had my family, my dog, my law practice, a few friends and then I looked down at my hand. I was still wearing my humongous emerald and diamond engagement ring. I was filled with rage as it shined in my eyes as if it were taunting me.
    I had to figure out what to do. I went to the desk and pulled out a yellow pad and a pen. I would use my organization skills and make a plan.
    First, I wrote: 1. call the messenger service as soon as I get to the office and ship Carlos’s ring back to him with a letter. I rewrote the letter several times and finally decided on:
    Carlos,
    I am returning your ring. I saw you and Margarita at the restaurant last night. You lied to me. I can forgive many things, but not total lies. Any