Page 23 of Little Secrets
“Yeah, but you’ve got me,” Sal says. “And you’ll still be you, regardless of what your bank account says.”
“I don’t want to lose everything I’ve built.”
“Would you trade it all to get Sebastian back?”
“Every penny.” She answers without hesitation, despite the alcohol that’s making her head fuzzy.
“Then if all you need is your son back to be happy, Derek’s got nothing to offer you. Where’s he even been the last year? He’s never home. He’s emotionally abandoned you.”
“Derek’s a good man,” she says.
“No, he’s not. He’snice, and there’s a difference. You can be nice to someone and still cheat. You can be nice and do shitty things. You can still be nice and ruin someone’s life. He’s nice, Mar, but he’s notgood. I hope one day you’ll understand the difference.”
“Sal,” a voice calls out, and they both turn. The server with the tight jeans is watching them from the kitchen entrance. “Wine delivery. He said he needs a signature.”
“So sign for it,” he calls back, annoyed. “That’s Ginny,” he says to Marin in a low voice. “She’s getting annoying. You said three months? I don’t know if we’re gonna make it three weeks.”
“How many times have you slept with her?”
“Only twice.” He looks offended. “But now I think she’s gotfeelings.”
“Well, you always were fantastic in bed.”
Sal throws his head back and laughs. It makes Marin feel better to hear it, to know that she can still make someone sound that way.
“Sal,” Ginny calls again. “Thewine.”
He disappears into the back room long enough for Marin to order an Uber, and returns just in time to catch her as she’s wobblingoff her barstool. The room spins, and she nearly keels over. He grabs her, and props her up.
“Christ, you’re shitfaced. It’s not even four o’clock.”
“Achievement unlocked,” she says, and her words are slurring. “I ordered an Uber. Be here in three minutes.”
He takes her phone out of her hand. The Uber app is still open, and he cancels her ride. “I’m driving you home. Give me your keys.”
She digs them out of her pocket and hands them over. “Are you sure you’re not needed here?” she asks as they make their way to the door. The floor is rippling. She moves to hug him, but she’s sloppy and she ends up draping herself all over him. From across the room, Ginny is shooting daggers at them with her eyes, and Marin waggles her fingers at her. The other woman doesn’t wave back.
“Ginny,” Sal calls to her, “I’m out for the day. When Tommy gets in, remind him I’m heading up to the farmhouse tonight.” Tommy is his head cook and assistant manager.
“When are you coming back? We’ve got—”
“I’m back when I’m back,” he snaps.
Chastised, Ginny’s head drops.
“You didn’t say you were going to Prosser,” Marin says, leaning against him. It feels and sounds like there are cotton balls in her mouth.
“Last-minute decision.”
“Tell your mom hello. I miss her so much.”
Sal barks a laugh. “Now I know you’re wasted.”
He helps her into the passenger seat of the Porsche and buckles her seat belt. He fumbles with it for a moment, and as he’s leaning across her, she inhales. Soap and water, and shampoo. Same smell. Same Sal. The scent of him is comforting. He’s comforting. She feels safe. She closes her eyes.
She sleeps.
Chapter 9
