Rose pulled back, sitting once more in the chair across from Claire and crossing her legs. She smoothed her skirt down before answering. She loved Claire, she did, but there were times… “Why on earth would I have mentioned this place to her, Claire? I’ve never said a word to her about any of your business, personal or professional.”
“Besides, I thought maybe you already knew, and if you didn’t, I didn’t want to disturb you with the news until I could talk to you in person. I thought maybe it would be better for you to hear it directly from me instead of through the grapevine.”
“It seems too coincidental!” Claire retorted rudely. “You can’t blame me for wondering!” Because she was still arguing, it took a moment to realize was she regretting flinching away from Rose’s touch now. She wanted her back. The blonde was too stubborn to say it.
“Ugh..!” was the only sound she could make at her former assistant’s perfectly respectable reasoning. Claire could come up with an argument but she didn’t bother. This was Dahlia’s fault. Not the woman she loved. The author combed her fingers through the front of her hair, still pissed off and trying to distract herself. “At least tell me you think she looked haggard too,” she said with a mean little smile. “Did you know the divorce rumors are true? Cherry totally left her.” Her words were mean spirited and mirthful. Clarissa had always been a gossip, which was why she was easily handpicked to be a Real Housewife of the Hamptons and stayed on for a few seasons. It had been great publicity despite all the drama, both staged and real. “I don’t know why I ever doubted the rumors, honestly.”
Rose let the comment about coincidences slide and moved on to the next topic Claire had brought up. "I didn't know Cherry had left her," she replied, slightly surprised at the news. She didn't know why she should be; Dahlia was an actress, a good one, so there was no reason why she should have been able to tell that something that big had happened.
"Was there cheating involved? Another woman? Or just disinterest?" she asked, trying to remember what she knew about Cherry and Dahlia's relationship. "I'd heard rumors, everyone has by now, but..."








