Page 20 of Restless Ink
Thea:Not yet.
Dimitri:Soon.
Thea didn’t answer. Instead, she slid her phone into her purse before getting out of the car. Time to face the music and whatever else came with it. She knew that while she hadn’t really done anything wrong, she’d still doneeverythingwrong. It didn’t matter what feelings might be, at this very moment, curling inside her, she had to tamp those down since they had no place in her life, especially not when friendship meant more than anything.
It had to, or she wasn’t the woman she thought she was.
Thea knocked on the door, and Molly opened it quickly. “Hey there. I’m glad you stopped by.” Molly smiled and leaned over, giving Thea a tight hug that made Thea want to hide.
She was a terrible friend with terrible decision-making skills. But she’d tell Molly the truth, and whatever happened after that, she’d deal with.
“Thanks for letting me come over on such short notice.”
Molly waved her off. “No worries, darling. I had my mani-pedi earlier and was just working on the donation requests for the next fundraiser. So much to do, so little time. Though now you can help me pick out my outfit for the next event. I do love that part.”
Thea smiled, but she knew it didn’t reach her eyes. And, honestly, even if she weren’t here to possibly ruin Molly’s world, she hated picking out outfits for her friend. They had such different tastes, and Thea never understood the cutthroat nature of trying to one-up another at a charity function. However, it wasn’t Thea’s world, and since she was there for not-so-nice reasons as it was, she ignored that train of thought.
“Molly? There’s something I need to tell you.”
Her friend must have read something in Thea’s tone because she straightened, nodding slightly. “Okay, honey. What is it?”
“We should probably sit down.”
“Now you’re worrying me.” But even as she said it, she sat on one of the ornate couches that Thea had always been worried about spilling something on, and she knew Dimitri had felt the same.
But, then again, he’d loved his wife and had let her pick out the things that filled their home. Everything except Captain, that was.
Speaking of… “Where’s Captain?” Thea asked, not trying to change the subject but wanting to know. Usually, the beautiful golden met her at the door with kisses and love, but today, that had been suspiciously absent. Thea knew that Dimitri came over often to be with his dog and to get him to eat or go on walks, so she just hoped that Captain was okay.
Molly waved her off. “He’s at the groomer’s. Just a wash and a good brushing since Dimitri says you don’t shave goldens. But the hair, Thea. So much hair.”
Thea tried to imagine a shaved golden retriever and held back a wince. It wouldn’t be a good look. Thea hadn’t known Captain ever went to the groomer’s, but then again, she didn’t know everything about what went on with Captain, it wasn’t any of her business.
“What is it you wanted to tell me, dear?”
Thea took a deep breath. “Something happened at game night, Molly.”
Her friend didn’t say anything, but a small frown marred her otherwise perfect face.
“Dimitri came over, and I guess we had a little too much to drink.” Though that hadn’t been the reason she’d let herself fall, but she couldn’t tell Molly that. It wouldn’t make sense to either of them if she did. “One thing led to another, and…Molly, I’m so sorry, but Dimitri and I slept together. It was a one-time thing, and it’ll never happen again. While Dimitri and I are friends, so are you and me. And I value what you and I have, Molly. You’re my friend.” Thea didn’t saybest friend. Adrienne’s words were still ringing in her ears, but she ignored that. After all, if Thea were a true best friend, she wouldn’t have slept with Dimitri in the first place.
“I’m so sorry, Molly. I never wanted to hurt you, but I’m afraid my careless actions might have done the worst. I’ll never be able to forgive myself for what happened, for how I’ve broken the trust between us by stepping over that line. Dimitri has always been my friend, nothing more, and in doing what we did, we crossed a line. I broke your trust, and I’m so sorry.”
Molly didn’t say anything for so long that Thea was afraid the tears she was holding back would finally fall, and she’d end up sobbing on the floor, begging Molly to forgive her. But she wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t debase any of them by ruining what little pride she had left by demanding acceptance from a woman who didn’t have any to offer. It didn’t matter that Molly and Dimitri didn’t love each other anymore. They once had, and that was all that mattered.
They had belonged to one another, and it had nothing to do with Thea.
Itshouldhave nothing to do with Thea.
And she would make sure that was the truth.
Finally, Molly smiled brightly, startling Thea, and said, “Did you do anything before the divorce?”
“No. Of course, not.” Thea’s eyes went wide. “I never even thought about him in that way. He was always yours.”
“Then, no harm, no foul.” Molly shrugged.
Thea blinked. Had she heard right?