20. The Tiny Lie
CHAPTER 20
THE TINY LIE
Laura: I’ve gathered us today, in this group text, to discuss Addison’s plan for telling Lexi about Tim.
Amy: I’m present and ready to discuss.
Addison: I’ve made a huge mistake by becoming friends with you two.
Laura: Nonsense. I have some thoughts, but I’ll let Addison tell us hers first.
I n all the time she’d spent worrying about being caught, Addison hadn’t considered what she’d say to Lexi. Frankly, she’d been hoping for a miracle—maybe the problem would just go away. But that wasn’t going to happen unless Lexi dropped her first for being a bad friend or Tim broke up with her. Both outcomes were worse than the uncomfortable conversation she’d need to have with Lexi.
Addison: Uhhh...
Laura: Then I’ll pitch first. I think you should have her over and not go out somewhere. It’s not like you need her to be in public so she won’t create a scene.
Addison: Won’t that be awkward?
Amy: I say this with love, but are you nuts? There’s nothing at this point, nothing won’t be awkward. You made that decision for yourself.
I could have used a big sister like her.
Addison: Fair. I accept that this is going to be awful and that it’s my fault.
Laura: Perfect. I’m glad you’re willing to accept that. Now, on to how to make it less awful. I think you should appeal to her empathy. She’s your best friend. She understands you, and she’ll get that you didn’t intend to hurt her and that it got out of hand. No matter what, you have a strong enough friendship that she’s not going to ditch you for any of this.
Addison: I’m not sure about that last part, but you’re right. She does want good things for me.
Laura: Exactly. You’ll need to do some groveling, but that was assumed.
Amy: You need to be prepared for her to need some time to be friendly with you again. I don’t know her personally, but from what you’ve told us about her, she’s not going to permanently end your friendship.
Laura: I know from personal experience that it’s going to suck at first. You’ll need to make things up to her and not try to justify what you did. You did it, it wasn’t a good decision, and now you’re fixing it.
Amy: Agreed. Trying to justify it is just going to make things harder.
Addison: I hate everything you’re saying, but you’re both right. I’ll invite her over, tell her the truth, and beg for forgiveness.
Laura: See? Simple.
Amy: Let’s be real. It’s simple, but it’s not going to be easy.
Laura: Rip the bandage off and get to apologizing and making things right. I wish I had done that with Jake.
Amy: Been there, too. I agree.
Addison: Then it’s decided. Thanks, advisory board.
Amy: ??
Laura: Text us and tell us everything after you do it.
“So, it’s been a month since we talked about telling Lexi,” Tim said, rolling his suitcase into the corner of Addison’s living room, out of the way until their flight the next morning.
“It’s handled,” Addison said. Please don’t ask any follow-up questions.
Tim slapped the top of his suitcase, retracting the handle. “Sorry, what? I was making too much noise.”
“I said, it’s handled,” she repeated, slightly aggravated.
“How did it go?”
How did it go... Hmm. It went lots of different ways in the scenarios I’ve played out in my head. “Is it okay if we don’t discuss it?” Addison asked, giving him a pained look. It was going to be bad enough when they got back from Aspen, and she had to finally have the talk with Lexi. Why ruin our evening by telling Tim I haven’t done it yet?
“Sure, this must have been really hard on you.”
Addison put on a sorrowful expression and looked down at her hands. “A little. I’d rather not go over it, since it was so painful. I’m more concerned about you working late today. That’s no way to start a vacation. Come here, let’s help you relax, huh?” she purred.
Men. So easily distracted.
After the three-and-a-half-hour flight to Denver, followed by a bumpy 45-minute hop through the Rockies, Addison and Tim finally landed in Aspen.
The tiny Aspen-Pitkin County airport technically had three gates, though combined, they were about the size of one gate at National Airport. Waiting outside was a six-foot-tall wooden bear, greeting travelers as they disembarked onto the tarmac.
Once they collected their luggage, they found their driver chatting with a hotel shuttle driver. When they approached his black Suburban, emblazoned with “St. Regis Residence Club” on the side, the driver snapped to attention.
Tim nudged Addison. “Whether it’s meeting at the bar or vacationing in Aspen, you can’t escape St. Regis properties, huh?”
“No kidding. Let’s hope there aren’t a bunch of blowhard lawyers at this one,” she replied.
“I think it’s a guarantee there will be. Own it—you’re one of them,” Tim teased.
The driver approached with a smile. “Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Dobbs? Mr. Gilbert asked me to welcome you on his behalf. I’m Stan.”
Once they were settled into the SUV, Stan began, “It’ll be about ten minutes to Aspen. You’ll be able to see Snowmass Mountain and some of the more rural areas along the way.”
Addison and Tim marveled at the snowy scenery as Stan drove through the mountainous landscape. “Folks,” he called back, “Mr. Gilbert mentioned this is your first time here. Would you like a rundown of the residences, amenities, and town?”
“Definitely,” Addison said excitedly.
“For starters, you’ll be staying in Mr. Gilbert’s residence, not as regular hotel guests. He’s arranged for you to have Residence Club privileges: spa, pool, and fitness access, plus the car service for getting around Aspen. But you might prefer to walk—the town’s small enough for that. Just keep our number handy for the shuttle. The nighttime cold can be a shock to the system.”
Stan continued as they neared town, pointing out the dining options on the property and recommending some spots in town. Addison couldn’t believe this was her life—sweeping mountain vistas, luxurious accommodations... The Rockies made the Cumberland Mountains back home in Grundy look like hills.
“We’re going to live like rich people this week, Addie,” Tim whispered, grinning.
As they neared Aspen proper, small, artistic homes lined the road. The creative flair in their paint colors and decorations gave the outskirts a quirky charm. Then, a sharp left turn brought them into downtown, and Aspen’s famous luxury became apparent—high-end shops, art galleries, and posh restaurants.
“Stan, not to be weird, but this looks like a normal town, and not like a place where Mariah Carey might walk by in a fur,” Tim commented.
Addison slapped his leg to quiet him.
Stan chuckled. “Kinda. This part is for the average people, even though those average people could buy my entire hometown. You’ll see the glamor as we get closer to the base of the mountain where you’ll be staying.”
Sure enough, the closer they got to the base, the more upscale everything became. Designer shops—Prada, Gucci, Burberry—flanked the street, alongside endless art galleries.
“If you’re into art, check out the galleries and the museum,” Stan said. “There’s a Picasso exhibit going on right now.”
Tim squeezed Addison’s hand. “I can’t wait to explore.”
The festive flurries blowing around and the moderate chill felt invigorating. Perfect conditions for a cozy winter vacation.
When they arrived at the resort, a staff member helped Stan unload the luggage and escorted them to their residence. Addison was stunned. “Rand must have a different definition of a ‘little place in Aspen,’” she said, wide-eyed.
The condo was luxurious but tastefully designed, every surface and furnishing made from the finest materials. It was incredible without being ostentatious.
“Can you believe this?” Tim asked. “I don’t know what to do first—take a shower under five shower heads, gorge myself on stuff from the welcome basket, take a nap in that giant bed, or ravish the hell out of you.”
Addison laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Why choose?”