thirty-six

Mandy agreed, and the next day found us sipping cocktails on a restaurant patio overlooking the ocean. “So, anything new on your break-in?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Oh, a few things,” I said.

She turned to me, her expression curious. “Anything you feel like sharing?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Not really. I just want to talk, actually. That’s why I called you. I need a little girl time. You know, talk about clothes, gossip, and our love lives.”

Mandy laughed. “Well, I can certainly help you with the first two. Unfortunately, I’ve got nothing for the last one.”

I looked at her in surprise. “Really? How come? You’re smart, gorgeous, and successful. You’re not dating anybody?”

Mandy shrugged. “I date a little, but in my job it’s hard to find time for a relationship. I mean a long-term one anyway.”

“Really? There’s never been anyone? No one special?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” she said with a coy smile, “but I guess I’m married to my career. I absolutely love what I do. Even the jobs that involve juice cleanses. I guess I never met the right guy.”

“Oh. For some reason, I was under the impression that you had met the right guy.”

Mandy adopted a confused expression. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Barry.”

“Barry?” she repeated slowly.

“Barry,” I confirmed.

She blanched. “You think I’m in love with Barry?” she asked aghast.

“Well, aren’t you?”

She stared at me a beat and then said, “Why on earth would you think that?”

“I’ve seen the videos, Mandy. I’ve also seen the way you act around him. I thought it was odd how upset you got at Barry’s party when that woman said Barry liked to play around. But, I guess it really fell into place when I talked to Mr. Luiz.”

“Who?”

“The actor you hired to try and buy the tapes from us.”

“Oh, shit,” she said looking at her lap.

I sighed. “Really, Mandy? Barry Meagher? He’s married, for God’s sake!”

She glared at me. “Don’t you think I know that?”

“I know you know it,” I retorted. “My question is why?”

She paused and looked out over the ocean before answering. “Our relationship is…complicated,” she finally said.

I scoffed. “Is that a fancy term for ‘sleeping with a married man’”?

“Look, Nic. What do you want me to say? I’m sorry?”

“Why don’t you try explaining to me what the hell you were thinking in hiring an actor to buy the tapes from us?”

“I don’t know,” Mandy said and took a deep drink from her wine glass. “I was pretty sure there was nothing on them. I mean, we were always careful, but I couldn’t be sure. I remember meeting him on the set and feeling like I’d been hit with a lightning bolt. I’m sure it was written all over my face. If Cecelia ever found out…well, it would be horrible.”

“Do you really think that I’d publish anything like that? Why would I do that? We’re friends! Your relationship with Barry has nothing to do with how this movie was made! Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Because I was ashamed. It’s all such a stupid cliché; the long-time mistress of the powerful man. She happily accepts whatever crumbs of affection he throws her way. She arranges her life for his convenience. God, I make fun of women like me!”

I stared at her. After a moment I said, “You’re really in love with him, aren’t you?”

She hung her head. “God help me, I am.”