Unconditional

Alicia and I exchange an amused look as Mindy flutters around, getting everyone organized.

“I love your dress,” I tell her, admiringly. “It looks great.”

Alicia looks down. “Oh, thank you. It’s actually by a designer I’m working with, Brittany Ray.”

“Brit?” I exclaim, surprised. “She made that? Really?”

Alicia looks taken aback. “You know her?”

“Sure,” I say, then lower my voice. “I’m actually living in Beachwood right now. I saw her just this morning. Are you involved in this big pitch of hers?” I ask.

“Not really, I just introduced her to some people, that’s all. She’s so talented.” Alicia sounds wistful. “And Hunter?” she adds, clearing her throat. She looks flushed, taking a sip of iced tea. “How is he doing?”

“I don’t know about him, he’s always up at the ranch, but Brit comes by the bar all the time.” I shake my head, smiling at the coincidence. “What a small world!”

“Right.” Alicia gives me a tight smile. “Crazy.”

“Carina!” Suzie suddenly screams. “What happened to your ring?”

There’s silence. Everybody turns to stare at me.

My heart stops.

“Oh…” I pause, looking down at my empty hand. “Well, actually…” I clear my throat, about to tell them it’s off for cleaning, or some other excuse. Then I stop myself. I didn’t want to tell them, and definitely not like this, but lying would only make it worse.

I take a breath. “Alex and I aren’t together anymore. We called it off.”

The silence stretches, then Mindy gives a little laugh. “Don’t tell me you lost this one too?” She reaches over to pat my hand. “Honestly, Carina, one is an accident, but three is just careless!”

There are titters of amusement. My cheeks burn. “It’s for the best,” I say quietly.

“But what will you do now?” Suzie demands. “Alex was perfect.”

“So perfect,” the others agree.

“And who will make up our tennis four now?” Mindy cries.

“Are you sure you won’t work it out?” Suzie takes up the call. “It’s not like there are many bachelors still out there, everyone’s paired off by now.”

“I can’t imagine life without my Preston,” Alexis pipes up. “We’re so happy.”

“You poor thing.”

I sit there, gritting my teeth as I listen to the outpouring of syrupy sympathy and barely veiled judgment.

“But have you thought it through?” Suzie asks again. “I mean, think about it. Even if you met somebody new tomorrow, that’s still at least six months before an engagement, a year until you’re married. You’ll have to start trying for a baby right away if you want two before you hit thirty and your fertility goes down the drain.”

You can hear a pin drop in the silent room.

“I’m sorry, sweetie, but you need to face facts.” She gives a little shrug. “Perry and I were trying for two years before I conceived. You can’t wait around forever!”

My heart sinks. I take in the room full of scandalized faces, and something inside me snaps. Nobody has asked me how I am, or what happened, they all just offer their opinions on how ghastly it would be to be alone again. Only Alicia, sitting beside me, offers a genuine smile of support.

These aren’t my friends. Maybe they never were.

I leap to my feet. “I have to go,” I declare, knowing full well what I’m throwing away, but finding I don’t even care anymore.

Suzie gasps. “But honey, you just got here—”

“I’m sorry, this is such a lovely party, but I need to get back.” I quickly grab my purse and jacket. “It was great meeting you,” I murmur to Alicia before bolting for the door.

“Carina!”

Mindy’s voice echoes after me. I hear the tap of her footsteps so I wait in the foyer, one hand on the door. She catches up, looking furious. “I can’t believe you’d just go running off, it’s so impolite. You already caused quite the commotion with your news,” she adds disapprovingly.

“Then I’ll take my commotion and get out of your hair,” I reply evenly.

Mindy scowls. “I don’t know what’s going on with you.”

I shrug. “Neither do I.”

She blinks, dropping her voice to an ominous whisper. “We’ve overlooked all your cancelled appointments, and clearly you’re dealing with…something. But you have to understand, our goodwill won’t last for long.” Mindy presses her lips in a thin line, a clear threat. “There are plenty of women who would kill to be included in our soirees. The waiting list for the Historical Society Preservation board alone is a hundred names long!”

“Then you won’t have any problem replacing me.” I give her a tired smile. “Look, Mindy, I know you don’t understand, but…This life, it’s not me anymore. I’m sorry if I’m letting you down.”

Mindy snorts. “Don’t apologize on my account. You know, I never thought you belonged here anyway. You’re too damn willful.” Her voice twists on the final word, and I have to laugh.

“You know, that’s the nicest thing you ever said.” I smile again, feeling another weight lift from my chest. “Take care now!”