Trilemma by Jennifer Mortimer Page B

I had voluntarily chosen to stuff her mutt with truffles. “We’ve given her something to make her vomit it back up.”
    I look down at the pile of dog vomit and back at Sally.
    â€œWhat?” she says. “God, you’ve got that inscrutable look on your face again! Haven’t you seen dog puke before?”
    â€œSorry,” I say and move my mouth into a smile. “Is that better?”
    Sally snorts and rises to her feet and walks over to the hose.
    â€œWhat’s it like being a CEO?” asks Karim. “Is it exciting?”
    â€œI don’t know that I’d call it exciting. It’s very busy.”
    â€œBut you tell people what to do? And you get to do whatever you want?”
    â€œIt’s a lot harder than you might think. And no, I don’t get to do much of what I want.”
    He looks back at me and frowns. “So what’s the point?”
    â€œWell,” I pause to remember, “there’s an important job to be done. That’s a large part of the satisfaction.”
    Michael dances out of the house and grabs his mother’s hand.
    â€œHoney, go with Karim and lay the table for breakfast,” she tells him.
    When they have entered the house, Sally looks searchingly at me. “I guess you don’t approve of me.”
    I let the false smile fade. I have been avoiding Sally. “I enjoyed going out with you guys, but I am just so busy.”
    She bends down to turn on the hose and starts washing away the regurgitated truffle mess.
    It isn’t enough. “I can’t afford to be drunk in public. Now I’m the chief executive, I have to be Caesar’s wife as well as Caesar.”
    â€œPoor little you!”
    â€œPoor little me.”
    Sally gives me a look, then returns inside the house and closes the door.
    I try to ignore the feeling of loss and drive to the supermarket to replenish my wine supplies. I seem to be going through a lot of wine, late at night, by myself, where no one can see, and where there is no chance I’ll do something stupid.
    Later I pour myself a glass and climb to my rooftop terrace.
    The wine is cold. The Jacuzzi is hot. There is a full moon tonight, but the clouds restlessly obscure its light. My body floats just beneath the surface. As the water gently caresses my skin, I can relax at last.
    It would be nice to have someone with whom to share my triumph. Surely there’d be no harm in a little distraction?
    I think of Luke’s green eyes and handsome face. Out of bounds.
    I think of Tom’s tanned cheeks and perfect mouth. His strong brown hands. Doubly out of bounds.
    Handy Nicholas?
    I shudder. No and no and no.

    Before I go to bed, I fish out the piece of wrapping paper that had contained the bag of chocolates. I turn it back and forth, but there are no sender’s details and the corner with the stamp has gone.
    I wonder whether I have an admirer. I smile, shake my head, and toss the fragment away.
    If so, they’ll need something more than chocolates to get my attention.

Chapter 19
    â€œHello my friend, long time, no see!” says Sally when I open the door.
    Her hair is tied back in a ponytail and she is wearing knee-length orange pants and an embroidered white peasant blouse that emphasizes her splendid chest.
    She waves a small yellow card in my face. “You told me to ask you again closer to the date. Get a life, Lin! Come to the wine festival with us!”
    â€œWhat? Now?”
    â€œYou’ve got five minutes.”
    She seems to have forgiven my lack of care over our friendship. Her eyes are bright and her generous smile is as wide as her hips.
    I look at her, I look at my watch, I look at the table covered in papers, and make a fast decision.
    I
miss
Sally. I want her as my friend.
    â€œWhat is the weather supposed to be like?” I ask, opening the wardrobe.
    â€œWell it might be hot and it might be cold,” she says from the living room. “You