Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery Page B

always get a name and a history.”
    â€œAlong with a very graphic description of my death.”
    This time she did smile. “You’re a tough guy. You can handle it.”
    He smiled back. “I’m hoping to persuade you to move on to another victim.”
    â€œThe writing muse is a tricky thing.”
    He leaned against the counter. “You don’t believe in muses.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    â€œYou wouldn’t give up that much power to a force you couldn’t control.”
    He was right, but it startled her that he had figured it out. No doubt their pesky past was to blame. Before she could figure out what to say, the oven timer dinged.
    Saved by the bell had never sounded so good.
    Â 
    T HEY MADE IT THROUGH DINNER talking about safer topics. The catered food was excellent, the wine good enough that she didn’t protest when he refilled her glass twice. The result was a pleasantly full feeling combined with a slight buzz. Liz wasn’t drunk, but she was glad she was walking rather than driving home.
    â€œDoes the town look different to you?” Ethan asked when they’d finished eating. It had grown dark outside. A cool breeze drifted in through the open windows.
    â€œThere’s been a lot of growth,” she said, turning her glass slowly. “Those new houses out by the golf course. When I left, I’m not sure they’d even broken ground onthe lots. There are a few new businesses. Daisy’s place is now the Fox and Hound.”
    â€œDaisy’s place has been five different restaurants in the past ten years. No one knows why—it’s a good location. Lots of foot traffic.”
    â€œThere are new people, too,” she added, glancing at him. “And some old. I ran into Pia yesterday, along with your sister.”
    Although she was watching carefully, nothing about his expression changed.
    He seemed to sense her scrutiny and frowned. “What?”
    â€œI thought you’d have something to say about her.”
    â€œPia? Why?”
    â€œBecause she’s here. Because when I first found out I was pregnant, I came back to tell you only to find you in bed with her.” She held up her hand. “Sorry. That’s not truce material. You’ll tell me that I left and you could see whoever you wanted. That will hurt my feelings, then I’ll yell and we’ll fight and I’m tired of fighting. At least for tonight.”
    â€œYou don’t need me here for this conversation, do you?”
    â€œApparently not.” She sighed. “I do have a question about her, though.”
    â€œPia?”
    She nodded. “In high school, she was really horrible, right? Mean and bitchy and not someone you’d leave a small child with?”
    â€œShe wasn’t the nicest person.”
    â€œGood. Then it’s not my imagination. Because she was totally different yesterday. Friendly and nice. It was so unexpected, I felt like I was having an alternate-universe experience. I started to wonder if I was remembering the past wrong or something.”
    â€œYou’re not.” He hesitated. “I didn’t sleep with Pia.”
    Liz was sorry she’d brought it up. Apparently Pia wasn’t the only one to have bitchy moments. “It doesn’t matter.”
    â€œIt does. We were at a party, I was missing you and lonely and mad. I’d been out with her a couple of times, I took her home, but I was too drunk. Nothing happened.”
    All this time later, she found herself wanting to believe him. “Ethan, it was a long time ago.”
    â€œI didn’t sleep with her,” he repeated.
    Information that shouldn’t make a difference, but still loosened a knot inside of her.
    â€œThanks,” she said.
    â€œYou’re welcome.” He picked up his wine. “I know why you left, but I wish you’d stayed to talk to me.”
    She shrugged. There was no way that would have