Page 98 of Spin Control

As I wrap her in my arms and press a kiss to her forehead, I finally allow myself to exhale fully.

To relish the fact that we’re safe and together.

To feel peace.

39

After two more interview-heavy days with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and no fewer than four embassies, Wes, Stas, and I are finally free to leave Italy.

My parting gift to Stas before he gets on a plane to visit his parents is Alice Abrams’s phone number along with strict instructions to give her an exclusive interview. And when Wes looks at me, and asks, “Where to?”, it’s clear that no matter what my answer is, he’ll be right there beside me.

I consider going back to New York, but then Jane says, “Can I make a suggestion?” Considering all I’ve wanted for years is to spend time with her and up until very recently was convinced she had cut me out of her life for good, I’m not going to tell her no. I ready myself for her to propose Houston—she has been away from her family for nearly a week, after all—and am gobsmacked when an entirely different locale comes out of her mouth.

And that’s how we all end up in Wes’s light-filled penthouse in Monaco. It’s tastefully decorated in earthy greens and warm browns, and I only tease him a little about the entire room dedicated to his racing trophies, favorite helmets, and professional photos.

After we’ve had the official tour, he gives me a meaningful look, announces that he’s going sailing with a couple other drivers, plants a kiss on my lips, and whispers “I won’t come back until you message to say that you and Jane have talked everything out. I’ll sleep on the boat if you need me to.”

I didn’t have to say a word and he knew exactly what I needed: time alone with Jane. And just like in Cape Code, he’s taken it upon himself to make it happen.

The fact that I tried to convince myself Wes Grant is the last man I should be with is baffling now.

“Girl’s day?” Jane asks when it’s just us.

“At long last,” I say, opening the refrigerator only to find bottled water and protein shakes. “We definitely need to go on a supply run.”

We head to a nearby market and spend a solid hour ogling the gorgeous produce before moseying back to Wes’s place. As I pour glasses of rosé and Jane drizzles honey over Comte, she says, “Well, it’s not Martha’s Vineyard, but I guess Monaco will do for our sister’s trip.”

I don’t hesitate to seize the moment. “I for one think it’s time for some real girl talk.”

Though I have been incredibly busy the past few days, I still noticed that though Jane is in constant contact with our mother and video chats with her kids multiple times a day, she hasn’t spoken with—or of—her husband at all.

“You mean what’s going on with me and Todd?”

“Yeah. That.”

She looks out at the stunning view from the balcony and takes a deep breath. When she turns back, there are tears spilling down her cheeks. “You were right.”

It’s as if my heart is in a vice. Despite loathing Todd, I hoped I was wrong about him. I hoped that Jane was blissfully happy, that I had completely misread everything, and that, even if it meant she and I would never be close again, she was loved in the way that inspires sonnets.

But I wasn’t wrong. And for once, I feel awful for being right.

I take my sister’s hand. “I’m so, so sorry, Jane.”

“You said even satisfied men cheat,” she says quietly. “I couldn’t stop thinking about that. Todd sometimes didn’t come home from work until nearly midnight. And when he was home, he was always distracted. A few weeks ago, he got in at a normal time. I made his favorite dinner and the girls were so excited to tell him about their day—Emma did her first jump at horseback riding lessons and Ellie wanted to read him the new story she wrote—and he would not put his phone down. He barely even ate. After I put the kids to bed, I told him we needed to talk. He said he was too exhausted.” She shakes her head, as if she still can’t believe it. “That was the last straw for me. I started digging into his credit card statements. There were all these charges for expensive meals, hotel rooms, flowers. So I confronted him. He didn’t deny it.”

“I’m going to kill him.”

Jane gives me a watery smile. “I kicked him out. He’s tried to apologize over and over, but he’s not actually sorry. He’s just sorry he got caught.” She drains her glass of rosé. “I’ve retained a divorce attorney. God, just saying that out loud seems so surreal.”

“A good one?”

“She’s a shark. I have a feeling that once Todd realizes he can’t sweet-talk his way back into our marriage, things will get ugly.”

Her words are edged with bitterness, and I hate this for her, even though I know it’s for the best. “Is there anything I can do?”

She looks out at the ocean. “Don’t break up with Wes. I could get used to this lifestyle.”

I laugh and refill her glass.