ERICA GETS ALMOST NO SLEEP and when she finally does doze off around five a.m., she wakes up suddenly an hour later in a cold sweat. Out the window the gray dawn is oppressive, unforgiving. There have been many times in her life when she’s felt alone and vulnerable, but never anything like this.
Her mind keeps circling back to that text: SHE KNOWS.
If she knows, she goes.
Erica gets dressed and heads up to the Whole Foods at Columbus Circle to shop for her dinner with Greg. It’s tough to concentrate, and the store is jammed with people, too many people, they’re all around her, writhing and streaming, she can barely move, a cart bumps against her, people whisper and point. Why are they looking at her? Claustrophobia grips her throat. She needs to get out of here. In a near panic she grabs what she needs and rushes to the express checkout.
After dropping off the groceries at home, Erica heads down to GNN. Today is blocked off for work on her show, including a couple of rehearsals. In her office she has a hard time sitting still, can’t even get through a hand of solitaire. Then Claire appears in the doorway. She seems subdued, as if she’s turned her wattage down a few notches.
“May I come in?”
“Sure.”
Claire is even dressed down, in a dark pantsuit. “Listen, Erica, I know I’ve been horrible. And I’m sorry. Sometimes my ambition gets the best of me. I also know we’re probably never going to be besties, but I’d like to try and clear the air. So we can all move forward.” She smiles, and it actually looks sincere—or at least in the ballpark. “Any chance we could get a cup of coffee and chat?”
Erica is wary—sharks don’t suddenly turn into minnows. But it’s in her own best interests to get along with Claire, especially if she’s sleeping with Nylan. “Yes, coffee would be nice.”
“Great. What time works for you?”
“How about four?”
“The Four Seasons?”
“Why not.”
Rehearsal is called, and Erica knuckles down and does her best to focus. But the mood on the set is subdued, there are no smiles or quips. When her eyes meet Greg’s, his light up with anticipation. She gets through the day and heads off to her meeting with Claire.