Free The First Wives Club by Olivia Goldsmith Page B

advertising.”’ Annie smiled again. Though Aaron fumed over Chris’s dropping out of school, Annie knew he was secretly proud to have his son join the firm. Chris was working under Jerry Loest, Aaron’s partner, and he was thriving. “So, where are the other guys?”
    Annie tried to sound casual.
    “Dad’s working on some kind of surprise or something, and Alex is up in the whirlpool, trying to get unbent. We’re all meeting in the lobby at seven.
    Dad’s got a party set up tonight, and Al’s invited his friends, and Grandma and Grandpa Paradise are coming. They’re in Suite 502.” Chris rolled his eyes.
    Annie shook her head at him. Aaron’s parents were difficult, formal people.
    She was surprised to hear they were at the hotel, since they so rarely left Newport during the season. She sighed. Well, there goes any real hope of a pleasant dinner, she thought.
    “Is this your bag?” Chris asked, hoisting her Vuitton case. “Hey, Mom, what’s in here? Planning to move in permanently, or you just carrying gold bullion for exercise?”
    They crossed the marble floor of the lobby, and Annie quickly signed in. She started to hand the clerk her credit card, but he waved it away. ‘It’s been taken care of, ma’am. Mr. Paradise asked for the bill to be charged to him.”
    Annie nodded. How nice of Aaron. She felt hope move through her once again, light and ephemeral, like a mist through a valley. A bellman took the bag from Chris. “Hey, Mom. I’m gding to go round up Al and get dressed. Meet you here in an hour. Okay?” As he strode off, Annie marveled at his height, his long lope, and his broad shoulders.
    As she turned to follow the bellman into the elegant, gilded elevator, she heard Chris call, “Mom,” and come running back to her.
    “I almost forgot,” he said as he came to a stop in front of her. “I wanted to ask you if it’s okay with you …” He faltered.
    Annie laughed. “Chris, ask me.”
    “I know it’s her last day home and everything, but could I take Sylvie out Monday? I mean, you get to see her every day, and I’ve been promising her for a while.”
    Annie herself had been looking forward to this time alone with Sylvie, but Sylvie did love being with Chris. “Of course you can. She’ll be delighted,” Annie said.
    ”Great.” And off he went again. “See you in an hour,” he called back over his shoulder.
    Annie shook her head. Even a few moments with him revived her spirits.
    It was hard to believe that delicious young man was her son.
    Her room was lovely, and soothing, as were all the rooms in this truly fine hotel. The window overlooked the Boston Common on the front, and Newbury Street on the side. And on the low table beside the settee sat a breathtaking arrangement of blue delphiniums and pink roses. A card was perched in the midst of the foliage. Annie approached the table slowly, pausing for a moment before reaching out for the card. She stared at it for a moment, then tore open the envelope in a single eager movement. Congratulations, and best love on the occasion of Alex’s graduation, it said. It was signed, Mother and Father Paradise.
    Well, what did you expect? she asked herself, but she knew what she had hoped for.
    Annie quickly unpacked and shook out her dresses. The Gaultier black silk for tonight looked fine.
    Reclining finally in the huge white marble bathtub, she took a few deep breaths and felt her tight back muscles loosen. She stretched out her toes, trying to touch the far end of the tub, then she took a deep breath and submerged herself. Delightfully, the tub was big enough to float in, and Annie floated, her eyes closed. I’m going to relax, she told herself. Really relax.
    For the first time in weeks.
    She settled into the foam. Dr. Rosen, her ex-therapist, had taught her relaxation techniques, which she used now. Fragments of memories came to her, and she let them. Aaron, standing next to Stuart Swann and staring at her on the day they first