Chapter 2
“It’s still legal here in Mass.” Carol picked up her pinkish margarita.
She liked it on the rocks, hint of salt on the rim, Grand Marnier instead of triple sec, and a generous splash of Chambord liqueur.
Marsha often ordered it that way too, as it elevated a basic margarita.
The Chambord gave it just enough delicious raspberry flavor without being too sweet.
Margaritas were a festive drink though, and Marsha was feeling a bit more serious.
She splurged on a glass of Hall, a complicated organic cabernet with a smooth finish.
“I know. But Claire didn’t even mention that as a possibility.
It won’t be easy, now that they’re getting divorced, but she has my support.
” Marsha sipped her cabernet and thought for a moment.
“I doubt that even crossed Claire’s mind.
You know how long they tried after Lily.
She didn’t think it was possible, so in a way, this seems like a miracle.
Though the timing could be better. She’s still reeling from how Ellis blindsided her. ”
Carol pursed her lips at his name and lifted her margarita. “You know I never liked him.”
Marsha smiled. “No, you never did. You thought he was too smooth.”
“Slick is a better word. There was just something too polished about him. His hair was always locked into position and never moved. Did you ever notice that?”
Marsha laughed. “Claire said he used more hair products than she did to get that effect. Ellis does have good hair.” It was thick and had a bit of a wave.
At Claire’s wedding, Marsha noticed that most of the guys he worked with styled their hair similarly.
And she knew Ellis spent a lot of money on expensive suits.
He’d told Claire it was essential, as his role was client facing.
“How is she?” Carol asked.
“Still in shock. She told me that things hadn’t been great with them for over a year now. It sounds like they were growing apart, moving in different directions. But still, she had no idea what Ellis was up to. It’s a lot to process, especially as his young girlfriend is also pregnant.”
Carol shook her head. “That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s a mess,” Marsha agreed.
“But at least she has you. It will be nice to have her here. And it will be good for her.”
“I think so too. She said she wants to find work, but I think that will be more of a challenge than she realizes. Nantucket doesn’t have anywhere near the same kind of opportunities as New York. Especially this time of year. And she hasn’t needed to work since she married Ellis.”
“She did some stuff for the magazines though, didn’t she?”
Marsha nodded. “She did right after she had Lily. That slowed to the occasional writing assignment. I don’t think she’s done anything in several years now. But maybe she can start up again.”
They shifted the conversation as their food arrived, an order of truffle fries and two sushi rolls, one spicy tuna and one shrimp.
“How’s Stu?” Marsha asked.
Carol’s eyes softened, and her smile lit up her face. “He’s great.”
Carol’s second husband, Stu, was the love of her life.
She’d met him a dozen or so years ago when she’d thought she’d never find love again and had announced to Marsha that she was resigned to being a cat lady.
The following week, she met Stu at a friend’s Sunday football gathering.
He was on Nantucket for a building job. He worked as a general contractor and had an established business on Cape Cod.
They’d hit it off immediately, Stu focused on finding more projects on Nantucket, and there was no shortage of work. They moved in together a year later.
As they finished up, Carol asked her about Warren.
“Your plans are on hold now. How do you feel about that?” Carol set her drink down and watched Marsha closely.
Marsha picked her wine up and took her last sip.
“My plans can wait for now.”