A quick, gentle tattoo sounded on Don’s hotel door. He left off icing the champagne and all but danced across the room. He pulled on the handle.
“You’re early, my dear Mel— Erin!” A flash of surprise crossed his face, but he kept his smile in place. “Erin! Why, I’m so glad to see you, honey!”
“The hell you are,” she spat. “You’re expecting Melanie, here, even though you told me you were flying to Calgary for a meeting this weekend.”
“Well, it was canceled, but my colleague at work, Melanie, and I decided that we could go ahead and prepare…”
“Shut up! I’ve had enough of your lies. You’ve lied to me from day one. We’re finished.” She started to walk away.
“But, Erin, I love you!”
Erin stopped to glare at him. “How appropriate: your first and last lies are the same.” She turned and walked quickly to the stairway, which offered a more immediate exit than waiting for the elevator.
Don closed the door and went back to icing the champagne. “It’s all right,” he told himself. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t miss her.” He picked up two champagne glasses and swirled some crushed ice in them. He watched it spin. “It’s all right. Really it is.”
Moments later, another knock came at the door. Don opened it cautiously.
There was Melanie, all smiles, and Don smiled too.
“Hello, my dear Melanie!”
“Hello.” She hugged him. “Anything wrong?”
“Nothing at all. What could possibly be wrong? We’re here together and … I love you.”
