Page 52 of In a Pickle

“I’m not exaggerating. That’s the kind of pull he has. As you know, James was never as famous as Brock to begin with, and, I’m not trying to critique James, but he was never very good at social media. Not the way I wanted him to be. Just one of the many reasons why we weren’t compatible long-term. I always wanted James to post more photos of me. I wanted him to do those appreciation posts guys do for their girlfriends — you know what I’m talking about? Like when the guy posts, ‘I just wanted to take a moment to thank this gorgeous girl over here for supporting me.’ You’ll roll your eyes at me, but I even drafted a post for James to write about me on my birthday.”

“And did he post it?”

“He did, that time.” She sniffed. “I know this doesn’t make me seem like an amazing person, but I wanted him to write those posts without my prompting, you know? He couldn’t understand why it was important to me for him to post about me all the time. He said our relationship was private. I should have appreciated that. I know most girls would have appreciated having privacy. But I didn’t. When James and I broke up, I started hanging out with Brock, and I loved that Brock was constantly posting stories of me. Isn’t that pathetic? Brock and I weren’t anything. We certainly weren’t dating. But I admit it: I liked his constant posting about me.”

Mary Grace finally looked at Liana. “I’m sure you want to get up from this table and leave right now. I wouldn’t blame you.”

Liana waggled her eyebrows. “Not a chance. If I walk away now, how will I ever make it onto your Instagram stories?”

Liana thought maybe she’d overstepped by making a joke, but thankfully Mary Grace laughed. Liana raised her coffee cup in a toast. “To honesty.”

Mary Grace clinked her glass. “To honesty, and to living our best life. Speaking of which, there’s a man over there who looks like he’s coming to see you.”

Liana saw James approaching, and her heart leapt into her chest. If she were honest, she’d already mostly forgiven him. She knew he’d said something he regretted after he was goaded. Anyone could make that mistake.

“Liana,” James said softly, and Liana’s pulse quickened at the way he said her name. “May I talk to you?”

“Yes,” Liana said, but to her surprise, Mary Grace grabbed her arm and said, “I’ll go away in a minute, but I need to say something first. To both of you. James, I shouldn’t have needled you about Liana. I shouldn’t have brought Brock here. In my heart of hearts, I knew he’d probably be inappropriate. Believe me, I heard the things he said about me when we walked in this morning. I pretended not to notice because I was being petty and trying to hurt you. But Brock hurt me. Just as I didn’t deserve to have those things said about me, you didn’t deserve to have your event marred by his presence.”

“Thank you, Mary Grace.” said James. “I appreciate your apology.”

But she held up her hand. “I’m not finished. I am sorry for ambushing you at dinner last week. You had every right to react how you did. I think I knew we were broken up for good, but I was in denial. I was embarrassed to lose you and my parents love you, and so I told my parents we were only on a break until you figured out your career. So when my dad asked me if he thought we’d get back together if he offered you a job, I foolishly said yes.” She shook her head in shame. “It was wrong. It was selfish. I was using you to save face in front of my parents.”

“But you still thought there was some sliver of a chance I would say yes to the job and to getting back with you?” James asked.

“I did.” She swallowed. “I didn’t know things were serious between you and Liana, I swear. I thought you were very much single. And the weird thing is, I don’t even have feelings for you anymore. It was hard to relinquish a life I was used to for so long, you know? It was easier to be comfortable and try to stay with you, even if I knew we weren’t soulmates or anything.”

James nodded but said nothing. Mary Grace turned to Liana. “I want to apologize again to you too, Liana. I may not have known about you at dinner last week, but I certainly knew about you when I chose to bring Brock today. I apologize to both of you for trying to fuck with your relationship. I promise, I’m done. I learned my lesson. No more interference from me.”

“Thanks,” said Liana and James in unison. Liana didn’t feel there was really anything else to be said. Mary Grace was who she was, but Liana did believe her when she said she didn’t love James anymore.

Mary Grace nodded and stood up. “Right. Okay, this is my cue to leave.” She let out a little salute as she walked away, draining her prosecco glass. James took her place at the seat next to Liana.

“So,” Liana said.

“So,” James agreed. “I know you just heard someone give a lengthy apology, but could you possibly listen to another one?”

Liana nodded. “I don’t need yours to be lengthy, though. I get it, James. I’m not breaking up with you or anything.” She wincedwhen he exhaled in relief. “I’d like to think our connection isn’t that fragile anymore. I really care about you.”

“I really care about you, too,” James agreed in earnest. “I know it was wrong to tell Mary Grace about your health. I should have known she’d use you to try to get a rise out of me. I should have stayed calm when she was teasing me about you. I shouldn’t have stooped to her level, and I certainly shouldn’t have told something private about you in the process. I’m really sorry, Liana. I want you to know how much this has shaken me. I will do everything in my power not to have a repeat of this type of thing in the future. Your secrets are safe with me, always.”

“I know they are, James. I haven’t forgotten that you’ve kept my secrets for eight years.”

James nodded, knowing exactly what Liana was referring to. “As you have mine.”

Liana thought back to that night in high school, the first time she had ever had a real conversation with James. The night that had, unbeknownst to either of them, set them down this path eight years later.

Chapter 33: James

Eight years earlier

James closed the lock on the bathroom door and poured his vodka soda down the sink. He refilled his red solo cup with water and used some more water to splash his face.

A stronger man wouldn’t have to switch out his drink in secret. A stronger man would own the fact that he didn’t want to drink tonight. But James was weak. He knew he cared too much about what others thought, but he couldn’t stop himself from pretending. Besides, he’d only have to pretend for three more months until he moved to California for college.

At first, James’ popularity in high school had come easily to him. James was smart, rich, and athletic. He knew he was good-looking. The hottest girls in school had always swooned over him. He had naturally fallen into the popular group freshman year and then become one of its unofficial leaders. Then last year, the final step in his journey to conquer high school had clicked into place when he’d started dating Mary Grace.

But James had started to realize that what had been given could be easily taken away. A few months ago, he had decided to skip a couple of parties to rest up before big tennis tournaments. He had invited Mary Grace over to his place both times, but she’d opted to go to the parties with her friends rather than hang out at home with him.