Free The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers Page B

cancer.
    Caroline’s hawkish nose told Juliette that looks didn’t rule Caroline’s world. Many women would have pared down that nose. Caroline Fitzgerald lived in Dover, so surgery costs weren’t likely a factor in her decision. Thin lips gave her a tense look, but her eyes overcame all her sharper features. Intense olive eyes framed by long, sandy lashes stood out from everything else. One coat of juliette&gwynne bitter-chocolate mascara, and Juliette could make those eyes striking. They’d pop.
    Juliette found the computer folder labeled “Promotions,” from their early days, and opened a file labeled “Deep Discount,” seeking the flyer that they’d once used to romance customers in the hopes of building a following.
    “Please accept our offer of child care while enjoying our signature day of beauty.” Juliette entered Caroline Hollister Fitzgerald’s name and printed the invitation on creamy ivory paper topped with a double line of black and pansy stripes.

CHAPTER 7
    Juliette
    Two days later, Juliette drove to Boston. She needed to be alone, away from the shop, the house, and the boys, if only for a few hours. And Nathan. Jesus, did she need to be away from him. She didn’t even want to be in the same town.
    Of course, her destination would hardly bring relief.
    Juliette hadn’t said anything about the letter yet. She refused to show it to Nathan until she knew more. She needed control over her life, and, like a smart lawyer, she didn’t want to ask any question to which she didn’t know the answer.
    Of course, she knew she should talk to Gwynne before her constant thoughts about the child and that woman drove her completely insane, but she didn’t. If Gwynne knew what Juliette was about to do, she’d lock her in the linen closet.
    The road curved as Juliette followed Route 16 to Route 9. The last time she’d driven to Boston had been for a meeting with her lawyer, when she and Gwynne rewrote their partnership agreement to adjust for the changes in their growing business. That day, she’d headed downtown. Today she headed to Jamaica Plain.
    It was late morning. Time would soon slip away. Juliette’s freedom ended when Max’s soccer game began at four. Nathan wouldmeet her there, because—oh yes—they were a children-first family.
    Juliette loathed her growing bitterness. She missed the sweetness that came with loving Nathan. She wished they were back at Cape Cod, the way it had been when the boys were little. Nathan spent hours digging in the sand with Lucas and Max, dribbling wet sand over dry, digging deep moats so the boys could dangle their feet inside.
    Nights were lobster, warm butter, and cold wine. Scrabble and lovemaking. Waking brought happiness.
    She’d believed Nathan when he told her it was just stupidity. Just greedy, meaningless sex. She’d believed her research. He was an idiot. She’s believed that she’d forgiven him.
    Now she worried that her anger had simply lain dormant. During their struggle, the worst of it had been the awfulness of hating Nathan. In truth, Juliette thought she loved him too much.
    Juliette slowed for the red light ahead, realizing she’d been speeding. Route 9’s amalgam of stores interspersed with stretches of tree-lined road became denser with cars and business as she neared the Boston city limits. Already the Atrium Mall loomed on her right. Gwynne and Juliette had considered opening their shop at the upscale Atrium, but they realized foot traffic suited them better.
    Keeping her eyes on the road, Juliette rummaged in her pocketbook, which she’d plopped on the passenger seat, until her fingers felt the crackle of the bag of M&M’s she’d grabbed from her stash. Every Halloween she bought enough miniature bags of M&M’s to keep her through the following October. Full-sized bags would add a dress size a year.
    Hiding food at forty-one was pathetic, as though she were still a child sneaking candy past her mother and shoving it to the very back