“Oh, really? Is there a party at the sandbar next Friday, too?” Fran asked.
Iris’s eyes went wide, and her mouth dropped open. Will was glad to see this. It meant his daughter wasn’t as accomplished a liar as he had started to fear.
“How did you know about that?” Iris gasped.
“It’s my job to know these things,” Fran said coolly.
“Our job,” Will said. He was mildly irritated that Fran wasn’t giving him credit for being the one to find out what Iris was up to. Okay, so Rory really deserved the credit for that, but whatever.
“I can’t go to the party?” Iris asked. Her voice was thin and high. Tears weren’t far off.
“Of course not. Consider yourself grounded for the indefinite future,” Fran said.
“For what? I haven’t done anything yet!” Iris said.
“You lied to us,” Will said.
“That’s only because I knew you’d never let me go to the party if I told you about it!”
Fran let out a bark of laughter. “Of course you’re not going to that party.”
“Why not? All of my friends are going!” Iris said. She stamped her foot, which, Will thought, made her look like she was six years old again and demanding to know why she couldn’t keep a miniature pony in the backyard.
“I highly doubt that, unless they’re all planning on sneaking out, too,” Fran said. “No parent in their right mind would let their freshman daughter go to a beer party at the sandbar with a bunch of senior guys.”
“This is so unfair,” Iris moaned. “Why can’t you trust me?”
“We’d be more likely to trust you if you didn’t lie to us,” Will said. “Just a thought.”
“You’re grounded for one month. No going out, no having friends over, and no cellphone,” Fran said.
“God, you’re ruining my life!” Iris said. She stormed off, and a minute later, her bedroom door slammed shut.
Will sighed and looked at his wife. “Are you going after her or should I?”
Fran shook her head. “No, let her sit and stew in her room.” She turned her attention back to the pile of clothes on her bed. “This may be the last peace and quiet we’ll get for the next month. I swear, grounding her and taking away her phone is going to be more of a punishment for me than her.”
Will stepped up behind her, and wrapped his arms around Fran. She relaxed against him for a moment.
“Just think. Only four more years until she goes to college,” Will said.
Fran groaned and covered her face with her hands. Will laughed and kissed the top of her head.
COOP STOOD IN THE shower, luxuriating in the feel of the hot water streaming down over his body. The shoot had gone well, but two months on a crowded boat that carried both the ship’s crew and a full camera crew meant they’d all had to rough it. Showers had been a luxury. When he’d scrubbed what felt like a layer of grit off his body, he finally turned the taps off and briskly toweled himself dry.
Coop shaved carefully, while Bear looked on. He was lying on the bath mat, his furry head resting on his paws. The unmistakable odor of unwashed dog wafted up from him.
“Don’t think you’ve escaped. Tomorrow is bath day for you,” Coop told him.
Bear—who knew the word bath—slunk out of the bathroom, glancing back with a worried expression.
“Coward,” Coop called after him.
It was Table for Seven night. Two months ago, after he’d fulfilled his hosting obligation, Coop had had every intention of dropping out of the dinner party club. It was, he’d decided, a hassle he didn’t need in his life. That went for Audrey, too. She had serious issues, and Coop had never had a masochistic streak when it came to women.
But then he’d gone away for two months. And despite the many distractions—the gorgeous aquamarine water, the frequent sightings of schools of dolphins, a sexy brunette photographer named Giselle—thoughts of Audrey kept drifting into his mind, no matter how firmly he tried to push her away. He even considered calling her, but cell reception on the ship was spotty. He would have had to place the call from the ship’s bridge with the ship’s crew listening in.
He’d gotten back in town that morning and had planned to call Audrey as soon as he’d gotten settled in. But then he checked his email and saw that tonight was dinner party night. Even better, he’d thought. It was always easier to rekindle a romance in person than over the phone. He’d called Jaime and double-checked that he wasn’t too late to RSVP, and she assured him that he was more than welcome.
Coop dressed casually in khaki shorts and a white button-down shirt that showed off his tan.
“How do I look?” he asked Bear, who, caught between his desire to be near Coop and his terror of baths, had compromised by sitting at the bathroom door. “Will she be impressed?”
Bear’s ears pricked up, and he began to pant. Coop took this as a sign of approval.
On his way over to the Wexlers’ house, Coop stopped at the liquor store to buy a few bottles of Spanish wine. Jaime had said they were having tapas, so it seemed in keeping with the theme of the evening.
“Hello,” Jaime said, when she opened the door to Coop. He kissed her cheek in greeting, and she accepted the wine. “Come on in. Everyone’s in the living room.”
Showtime, Coop thought.
“How was your trip? Fran was just telling us that you’ve been out to sea for two months,” Jaime said.
“That’s right. We docked in the Bahamas this morning and I took a flight into Fort Lauderdale,” Coop said.
“What were you shooting?” Jaime asked.
“Dolphins, mostly. The documentary is about the complexity of their social networks. But we got some great shark footage, too,” Coop said.
“That sounds very exciting,” Jaime said, leading him into the tasteful beige living room.
The whole group was there. Fran and Will, Mark, Leland. But Coop’s eyes sought out Audrey, who was sitting on the sofa next to Leland, looking radiant in an orange wrap dress. She looked up at Coop, and he could see the same apprehension and excitement he was feeling mirrored in her face. He smiled at her, trying to silently communicate how happy he was to see her.
“Coop! I thought I heard your voice.” Fran was at his side, smiling up at him. He leaned forward and kissed her, and then shook hands in turn with Will and Mark, who were standing with her. Then he turned, ready to greet Leland, and, finally, Audrey, when he realized he was suddenly face-to-face with Kenny. Short, balding Kenny with the big ears.
“Kenny Stabler,” Kenny said, sticking out his hand for a firmer than necessary handshake. “We met before at one of these shindigs. You’re Coop, right?”
“Right,” Coop said. He withdrew his hand.
“Your surprise appearance has been all anyone here can talk about,” Kenny said with a smile.
“Not me. I’m more excited about the pâté Jaime has promised us,” Will said, thumping Coop on the shoulder.
“We weren’t expecting you back in time,” Fran said. “I thought you weren’t due until sometime next week.”
“We got in a few days earlier than planned,” Coop said. He tried to look calm and collected, and not give away how annoyed he was at Kenny’s presence. Was he here as Audrey’s date again? And if so, how the hell had that happened?
“You’ll have to come over and see the girls. Rory’s grown about a foot since you left,” Fran said.
“And Iris has started lying to us and sneaking around with boys. It’s a phase we’re particularly enjoying,” Will added.
“I’ll come over and see them tomorrow,” Coop said.
“Hi, Coop.”
Coop turned to see Audrey standing beside him.
“Hi,” he said, hesitating for a few beats too long before he leaned over and kissed her cheek. She smelled like clean hair and expensive perfume.
“How was your trip?” she asked.
“Good. Long, but good,” he said.
Kenny stepped next to Audr
ey and slid his arm around her, his hand at her waist. Coop registered this, his eyes flickering down and then back up to Audrey’s face. She looked uneasy, he thought, and Coop wondered if she was embarrassed by Kenny. Or maybe it was having past and present lovers meet. This, the thought of Kenny sleeping with Audrey, instantly made Coop feel queasy.
“Hi, Leland,” Coop said, turning away from the sight of the happy couple to shake the older man’s hand.
“Good to see you back,” Leland said. “Franny was worried you’d been lost at sea.”
“I think Fran watches too many movies. And old episodes of Gilligan’s Island,” Coop said.
“Hey, can I help it if The Perfect Storm seriously freaked me out?” Fran called from across the room.
“Are you still obsessed with bacon?” Coop asked Leland.
Leland chuckled. “You haven’t been gone that long, my boy.”
“Really? It feels like I’ve been gone forever,” Coop said. He couldn’t help a rueful glance in Audrey’s direction. Kenny still had his arm around her. The only small comfort Coop could take was that Audrey wasn’t leaning toward Kenny or murmuring in his ear.
Leland followed Coop’s gaze and looked thoughtful. “I wouldn’t worry too much about that if I were you,” he said quietly.
“No?” Coop asked, so startled at this comment he forgot to deny any interest in the budding relationship between Audrey and Kenny. He wondered how Leland had figured out that he and Audrey were—or, at least, had been—involved. Did everyone at the dinner party club know? Did Kenny?
Leland shook his head slightly. “Definitely not,” he said.
“Here’s your drink,” Jaime said, appearing at Coop’s elbow. She handed him the vodka and tonic he’d requested.
“Thanks,” Coop said. He wanted to pursue his conversation with Leland, but knew it was impossible while everyone was there. He had to content himself with nodding his thanks at Leland, who was still looking thoughtful.
“I WANT TO HEAR more about your trip, Coop,” Fran said, once they were all seated around the Wexlers’ dining room table, eating a spinach salad studded with sweet chunks of grapefruit.
Fran was feeling a little light-headed, both from the wine and proximity to Coop. She’d forgotten how physically imposing he was. Even the hair on his arms—bleached blond from hours spent in the sun—fascinated her. She wanted to run her hands down his arm, to feel the texture of his skin against her fingertips.
“Big deal, Coop swam around with some sharks. That’s nothing compared to what I faced down this summer,” Will said.
“Which is what?” Jaime asked.
“Disney World,” Will said grimly. “Apparently, in August, all of Europe heads to Florida and makes a beeline for Disney World.”
“So? What do you have against Europeans?” Audrey asked, smiling at him.
“Nothing, right up until they make me have to wait an hour to ride Space Mountain,” Will said. He smirked. “Speaking of which, I have the best vacation photo ever of Fran riding Space Mountain.”
“Please tell me you didn’t bring that with you!” Fran exclaimed.
“I wish I had. It’s great,” Will said.
“You were able to take a picture of her? How? Isn’t that the ride that’s really dark?” Jaime asked.
“They take the photo while you’re on the ride, and then sell it to you on your way out,” Will explained. “And as soon as I saw the one of Fran, I knew I had to have it. She has her eyes shut and is screaming in terror.”
“For good reason,” Fran said.
“You’re afraid of roller coasters?” Mark asked Fran, looking incredulous.
“It’s a normal thing to be afraid of,” Fran said defensively.
“They make those rides for little kids.”
“They go really fast and turn you upside down. The whole thing is terrifying,” Fran said.
“Actually, Space Mountain doesn’t turn upside down,” Will said.
“Are you sure? I could have sworn I was upside down at one point. It was when I started screaming,” Fran said.
“Positive,” he said. “And you were screaming before the ride even began. You started when they were just checking your seat belt.”
“I can’t help it if I have a deeply ingrained sense of self-preservation,” Fran said.
“I don’t blame you. I hate roller coasters, too,” Jaime said, standing to collect the salad plates.
“Do you need help?” Fran asked, standing.
“Sure, you can help me bring out the tapas. You all got my email, right? Instead of making a main course, I made several small plates,” Jaime said.
“Show-off,” Fran teased her.
“I’ll help, too,” Audrey said. She looked around at the men. “Don’t all hurry to get up and help us out.”
“Cooking and cleaning is women’s work,” Will said, grinning at her.
“Watch out, Will,” Kenny said. “Audrey will stab you with her stiletto. Those things she walks around on are lethal weapons.”
“I HAVE SOMETHING TO tell you guys,” Fran said, keeping her voice low, once the three women were alone in the kitchen.
“What?” Jaime asked.
“I’m leaving Will,” Fran said. A burst of nervous excitement cascaded through her. It was the first time she’d said the words out loud.
Audrey had been stacking salad plates in the sink. Jaime was taking the chicken rillettes out of the refrigerator and peeling back the plastic wrap that covered the serving dish. But at Fran’s words, both friends turned and stared at her with matching, dropped-jaw expressions.
“What?” Audrey asked.
“Fran,” Jaime said, reaching out and touching Fran’s shoulder.
“It’s okay. I mean, I’m okay. This is what I want,” Fran said.
“What’s going on? Is Will … is he …,” Audrey began, but couldn’t seem to complete the thought.
Fran shook her head. “He’s not cheating on me. At least, not that I know of. But, no, I seriously doubt it. Infidelity is not in Will’s nature.”
“Then why?” Audrey asked.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I’m just not happy. Will’s not happy, either. He spends all of his time in the garage, completely checked out of life.”
“Have you talked to a marriage therapist?” Audrey asked.
“No. We have in the past, but it was a waste of time and money. The truth is, we’re just not in love with each other anymore,” Fran said. Her initial burst of excitement faded at the bleak reality. “We lay in bed every night, side by side, like we’re brother and sister. I can’t remember the last time we kissed, much less the last time we made love. It’s not like we fight all that often, but it’s not like there’s anything else there. We just stagnate.”
“You’re friends, though, right? I always thought Will was your best friend,” Audrey said.
Fran felt sadness wash over her. “Maybe at one time. But it’s been so long, it’s hard to remember. Now he’s just the guy who sits in the garage, ignoring everything that’s going on in our lives.”
“But a separation? That’s a really big step,” Jaime said.
“I know, trust me,” Fran said. She paused to take a sip of her wine, and then leaned back against the counter. “And I know it seems sudden to you two. But trust me, I’ve been thinking about it for months. About how we can’t keep going on like this. Without passion, without any spark between us. We both deserve more.”
“But why can’t you rekindle that spark with Will?” Audrey asked. “Spend time together, go out on dates, meet him at the front door wearing Saran wrap.”
Both Jaime and Fran laughed.
“I’ve never seen how wearing Saran wrap is supposed to be sexy,” Fran said.
“It seems like it would be hot,” Jaime said. “Not sexy-hot, but just hot.”
“And hard to get out of,” Fran added.
“I’m serious. Maybe if you try harder—if you
both try harder—you can get back what you once had,” Audrey said.
“I have tried. We’ve tried. But how can I make myself feel something for him that I don’t? Whatever we once had, it’s just … gone,” Fran said, shaking her head.
“So, you’re giving up?” Audrey shook her head. “Just like that, you’re giving up?”
“It’s not a matter of giving up.”
“You just announced you’re leaving your husband of, what? Seventeen years?” Audrey continued.
“Sixteen next July.”
“Fine. Sixteen years. You’re leaving a sixteen-year marriage because you’re unhappy. Do you have any idea how selfish that sounds?”
Fran blinked. She’d expected surprise, shock even, at her announcement. But not anger. “Marriages end, Audrey. People fall out of love. It happens all the time.”
It probably would have happened to you and Ryan, if he hadn’t died so young, she wanted to add, but managed to stop herself.
“What about Iris and Rory? Have you thought about how this will affect your daughters?” Audrey demanded. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were narrowed into two angry slits. Fran almost took a step back from her. She had never seen Audrey this angry, and certainly never at her.
Jaime, who had been listening in what seemed to be shocked silence, said, “I think what Audrey is saying is that this is a big decision. It’s not something you should rush into.”
Fran crossed her arms, as though this would repel her friends’ disapproval. “Do you seriously think this is some sort of a whim? Of course I’ve thought about it. I haven’t thought about anything else for months. I know that the girls will be upset for a little while. But I think it will be better for them to eventually see that it’s important to have passionate, loving relationships in life. That when it comes to love, they shouldn’t settle.”
“Bullshit,” Audrey said.
“Excuse me?” Fran asked, staring at her.
“I said, bullshit. Kids don’t care if their parents are happy or not. All they care about is if they’re together.”
Table for Seven: A Novel Page 22
