Chapter 7
Zoe
"Yes, we aim to please our customers, Mr. Rodriguez," I say, offering a polite smile to the man on the other side of the laptop screen.
He nods, his expression relaxing. "I will make sure to tell my friends about your financial services, Zoe."
The laptop lets out a brief ping, signaling that the digital meeting has officially ended. As the screen goes black, I close the lid and stand up, immediately turning my attention to my cheerleading friend, Dana, who is leaning against the doorframe.
"I tell you, you look so good when you go into money mode," she says, nodding her head in approval.
"Oh well, we do try to look that way."
A sharp beep chirps from her phone. I wave a hand, giving her a small nudge to go tend to her own business so I can finally head to the bedroom and change out of these tight trousers.
"Hold up," Dana says, her fingers tapping the glass screen. "This is actually for you. It is another one of those text messages from your husband."
A sudden warmth flutters in my stomach, but I fight to keep the reaction off my face. I bite the inside of my cheek, keeping my back turned toward her as I keep my voice casual. "What does this one say?"
"Okay, here goes nothing..." she begins, clearing her throat.
"So, uh: Hi Dana. As usual, I trust that maybe during one of your chats with my wife, you will bring this up.
I just finished my therapy session, and so with that, I hope you know that your days without seeing my annoying face are over. I miss you, baby."
The final sentence sends a shiver straight down to my soul, the warmth of his voice lingering in the quiet apartment.
"This guy is straight-up nuts about you," Dana says, tossing her phone onto the cushion once she finishes reading the text. "He has been consistent with sending these messages, even when you refuse to respond to him."
I draw in a deep breath, looking out the window. He should also learn to be consistent with keeping his distance from Sarai, or at least consistent enough to not let his photographs with her be taken out of context by the press.
The living room falls silent for a moment. I turn back around to face Dana.
"But don't you think the divorce papers you served him after seeing those pictures with Sarai was a bit much?" she asks softly.
"I know it was," I murmur, my fingers tracing the edge of the glass table. "But there is nothing I can do about that choice now. Hopefully, he loves me enough to right his wrongs."
"Oh, darling, I bet you know he loves you enough for that." Dana smiles, her eyes crinkling with the implied meaning behind her words.
"So, do you think he has truly realized his mistakes?" she asks me.
"Honestly, I don't even know the answer to that. I just know that it won't be easy for me to believe his transformation with mere words alone."
Dana nods, her expression softening. "I understand you. Well, I am glad for you, baby. I mean, him not being in your life right now didn't stop you from showing up for yourself."
I nod back at her, accepting the truth in her words. "Where is Sharon?" I ask, changing the subject to my goddaughter.
"Oh, she is off in her room doing her homework."
"Good."
"So, come here, Zoe," Dana calls out, opening her arms wide.
"What is it?"
"I just want to give you a hug."
I step forward into the space she has created for me, letting her wrap her arms tightly around my shoulders. She does this often, providing a physical anchor whenever the silence gets too loud.
"You are more than enough, Zoe," she whispers.
"Thank you, Dana."
"I am serious. I know how much you love that man, and so the fact that you are able to not crumble into pieces when he isn't here is an amazing feat in itself." Her smooth voice rests warm against my ear.
"Thank you, Dana."
"And thank you, too, for being such a wealthy friend who supports this black girl's lifestyle," she adds quietly, sneaking the joke into the embrace.
A laugh breaks past my lips, and she pulls away from the hug, keeping both of her hands resting firmly on my shoulders.
"No, don't just laugh it off," she says, her gaze locking onto mine. "I mean it. How many months have we been living together now?"
"Eight months?"
"Yes, eight months. And in that time, you invested heavily in my salon, you helped my daughter move to a much better school, and you increased my personal finances by what, a hundred percent more?"
I offer a small shrug. "Well, you happen to have an advisor friend who has a lot of money, so you're in luck, I guess."
Dana presses a quick air-kiss against my cheek and steps back. "Come on, I know you haven't had your bath yet. Go on and get in the shower so we can go out shopping. Remember, it is my treat this time."
A smile touches my lips at how spontaneous she is with changing topics.
Her presence alone in my life over the past year has transformed me.
I have finally remembered who I am outside of being Chris's wife.
I still love him very much so—that hasn't changed.
But I no longer go to bed every single night with his face plastered in my mind. Now, it is just some nights.
***
We sit opposite each other at a corner table in the restaurant, the low chatter of the lunchtime crowd filtering through the dining room.
Dana has already ordered a plate of white truffle tagliolini, a notoriously expensive pasta dish that remains a staple for the Greenwich crowd.
We eventually opted for a quiet meal instead of the extensive shopping trip she had promised me earlier in the day.
While we twirl the delicate strands of pasta onto our forks, she introduces a topic I have been steadily fighting to avoid.
"Lizzy’s graduation ceremony is coming up soon, Zoe. Your husband is going to be there."
I offer a slow nod, focusing on the food before I swallow.
"You don't have anything to say about that?"
"I don't have anything to say here, Dana. I mean, I know he is going to be there. I feel overwhelmed just thinking about it. What if I mess up? What if I get angry the moment I see Sarai?"
Dana's fork pauses in midair, her brow pulling together. "Wait. Sarai is coming to the graduation too?"
A hollow chuckle escapes my lips at her surprised expression. "Yes. I would want to believe she is. You know Julius is staying over at Aunt Greta’s sister's house right now, so they will likely all travel down to the UK together."
"I still can't believe Sarai turned out to be like that," Dana says, dropping her fork against the edge of the plate with a small click. "Maybe it is just the trauma of loving her husband and losing him so suddenly, and then Chris having to step in to take over the job of caring for her."
I shake my head, my jaw tightening as I push the remaining pasta away. I have zero desire to understand or analyze anything concerning Sarai. "Well, I don't know. That's a matter for them to sort out."
Dana nods, tracking my movement. Within a few minutes, I finish savoring the modest portion of the meal.
"It's a wonder how you wealthy people survive on these tiny portions of food and still pay outrageous sums for the privilege," she mutters, eyeing the empty plate.
"I never really get full, trust me. Each time Chris and I went out on a date at a fancy restaurant, I always made sure we had a proper meal waiting at home, especially if we knew we would be hungry afterward."
"Why can't you just eat at home then?" Dana asks, leaning her elbows on the linen cloth. "I mean, your house is larger than a university auditorium. He could easily design a private dining space just for you."
"Change of scenery. A bit of novelty, I suppose."
Out of habit, my hand automatically reaches for my purse to pull out my black card. Dana immediately reaches across the table, slapping my hand down with a quiet thud.
"Hey. Remember, I got this one."
A laugh escapes me, and I offer a quick murmur of apology, sliding the purse back onto my lap. "So, uh, how are things going between you and Abraham?"
A soft smile breaks across her face, and she nods her head. "Oh, he is doing well. And he is so good with his daughter now."
My smile matches hers, glad to see a spark of peace in her life. "Do you see yourself coming back together with him?"
Dana’s gaze drops to her glass of water, her fingers tracing the condensation on the rim before she speaks.
"Honestly... you know one of the reasons I haven't really been able to give you a proper update on the relationship is because I feel ashamed to admit something. I am torn between the both of them."
I tilt my head to the side, my eyes locked on hers. "Why are you torn?"
"I don't know. Because maybe... I know I love Abraham, but he seems to be so far up there in terms of status, and I am just me."
This time, I am the one who reaches across the table to slap her hand. "Shh. Don't you dare say that."
Dana blinks, looking up.
"You are rebuilding your life," I tell her, keeping my voice firm and low.
"You are a superstar, so do not settle for anything less than you deserve.
If you have a problem with an aspect of your life, work on yourself—which you are already doing a great job at.
Then, once you feel steady, you can speak with him directly.
I know Abraham loves you a lot. I mean, the man has been single for how long now? "
A mutual chuckle ripples between us, breaking the tension.
"He swooped right back into your orbit the exact second he heard you were once again back on the market," I remind her with a smirk. "Just communicate with him. Tell him exactly how you feel."
Dana nods, a bright smile returning to her lips. "Thank you, Zoe."
"Oh, come off it. What are friends for?"