I’d never told her much about my life before today. That was about to change. Surely Jude wouldn’t mind me having just one friend. If he found out, I’d just have to convince him that Diana was harmless.
I waited until after my blowout to ask her to lunch at a pizzeria just across the street. The smile on her face told me she was thrilled. So was I. I’d be able to deal with my life better if I had someone to confide in. She had told me once that her husband had been emotionally abusive. Maybe she’d understand.
We shared a pepperoni pizza, and she listened wordlessly as I told her about how I felt unable to breathe inside my marriage. Even when I admitted my fears of falling out of love with my husband, she didn’t judge, just took a bite of her pizza. She chewed and occasionally nodded. She listened without comment, no hint of disapproval in her eyes.
When I admitted to her that sometimes Jude frightened me, she wiped her bright pink lips with a napkin and looked me straight in the eyes. I saw a flicker in hers. “Haley, I know the signs. Once they start abusing you, they get used to it. They start enjoying the power it gives them. If you don’t do anything about it right from the start, he’ll continue until he has made you small enough to crush under his boot.”
I shook my head and took a sip of water. I didn’t have the appetite to eat more than a slice of pizza. “But what can I do? I’m nothing without him … nothing.”
Diana leaned forward and clasped her hands in front of her. “That’s exactly what he wants you to believe. When Antonio left us, I thought I was finished.” She released her fingers and pointed at her chest with both thumbs. “Look at me now. I’m a struggling single mother, but I’m free. I’m happy. I actually sleep at night. And I’m stronger than I thought I was. You have to do what’s best for you. If you’re unhappy, leave the son of a bitch before the handcuffs click. Life is too short. And be grateful you don’t have kids with him to make it that much more complicated.” She touched my hand. “I’ll be here if you ever need me…if you need a place to stay.”
I nodded, but I knew that leaving Jude was not an option. We didn’t have kids and I’d do everything to make sure that didn’t happen, but we shared something that I suspected he wouldn’t flinch before using it to destroy me. The deadliest of weapons. A secret.
Though I wasn’t brave enough to take Diana’s advice, it had helped to pour my heart out to someone. I was able to breathe easier.
When our lunch was over, Diana hugged me and we made a hair appointment for the following week.
When I stepped out into the spring sunshine, the rays slanted through the clouds and warmed my back. I crossed the street toward the Rolls Royce that Nolan drove, but I was surprised to find it gone. My black Audi had replaced it. And someone sat in the passenger seat. Jude. And he didn’t look happy.
I wasn’t surprised that he was inside my car because he did insist on carrying around my duplicate car keys, but he was supposed to be stuck in an all-day meeting at the office.
I dug inside my bag for my car keys. “What are you doing here?” I asked as I climbed into the car. The keys almost slipped out of my slippery hands.
In a flash, he cupped my chin roughly, turned me to face him. He leaned forward and pressed his lips hard against mine, his teeth digging into my lips. He released me suddenly. “That’s how you greet your husband.”
I touched my lips lightly with my French-manicured fingertips, my heartbeat racing. “That hurt, Jude.”
“Good.” His tone was chilly. “Now you know how it feels to be hurt. My meeting was postponed. I showed up here with plans to take you out to lunch. You told me you’d be done by twelve. Imagine my surprise when I didn’t find you inside the salon.” He paused. “What are you waiting for? Drive.”
My heart rate picked up speed, and I started the car and pulled out of the parking space. “I went to lunch with a friend. What’s the big deal?” I gazed straight ahead at the road, ignoring the weight of his glare on my shoulders.
“When did your hairstylist become your friend? I recall telling you that friendships are risky.”
Hot, white anger bubbled up inside me but I pressed it back down. “And I’m being careful. I won’t tell her more than she needs to know.”
“What did you talk about?” I didn’t miss the thread of warning in his voice.
“Nothing serious.” I released a breath. “Jude, I miss having friends. I just need a girlfriend I can discuss girl things with. Nothing else, I promise. Believe me, I want my secret to stay hidden just as much as you do.”