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I s back the wave of nausea, unsteady Alex gives me a sharp look, and I try to snap out of it I don’t have time for messy emotions, not when I need to play hostess
The housekeeper appears in the doorway and gives me a nod
"I think it’s tio through?"
I usher everyone into the forht place at the long any table Alexander at the head, of course, and then the hierarchy of partners down the table from most-i arrangement for days; the first time I hosted a dinner for Alex’s work, I accidentally put the CEO farther down the table than the CFO, and he wouldn’t let s matter, so this time I was sure not to screw up I ive a nod to the wait staff, and finally take my seat at Alex’s left hand
"I just love what you’ve done with this room," one of the partner’s wives coos She’s the oldest, thirty-five and showing it, and gossip is, she won’t be around for long They’ve all upgraded, Alex included He has two ex-wives now, and although I always felt a s kind of determination that I would succeed where they didn’t, now it strikes me with a new kind of clarity
We’ve always been disposable to hi" The wife continues Her tone is honeyed, but I can tell it’s an insult Still, I give a breezy sht back "Thank you"
"Thank the decorator," Alex laughs "She sure charges enough" The ly
"Oh, but it’s worth it You’ll have to give me her number" Wife One sips her wine as the first course is served, a shried on bone china "Now, remind me honey, what is it you do?"
"I was in PR," I answer diplo a break for now There’s soand all Alex’s events"
"I know" Wife Two nods sympathetically from across the table "I can hardly find time to think; I don’t kno you would hold down a full-time job on top of all of this too!"
I so Or, as they put it, downsized I toldto pass the ti so well at work, it wasn’t like we needed the ain
How do you think you’ll get by on your own? The voice in my head taunts me You’ve barely worked a real job in your life
"I’ into charity work" I try to drown it out, turning to include Wife Three, down the table "Melinda, Jacob, you reat work"
As they launch into a description of their latest fundraiser, Alex reaches across and gives low of pride, despite the ugliness of the scene upstairs The perfect hostess, that’s what I’ sine served in a huge glazed pot