“Rude,” said Viola. “That’s the problem with you New Yorkers.”

Rainy laughed, wishing that were the problem; how simple life would be if her personality was a product of where she lived instead of what had been done to her.

“You know why I’m calling?”

“I’m assuming it has something to do with Vegas and Braithe.” She sighed, sitting up in bed and frowning.

“You assume correctly. Tara showed up at my house yesterday.”

“I wish she hadn’t done that. You don’t need that type of stress.”

“Braithe is my friend,” Viola said firmly. “I’ve known that woman for eight years. This just isn’t like her. I’d go talk sense into her if I could, at least try to convince her to come home and talk it out with Stephen.”

“Why doesn’t Tara go?” Rainy’s throat was dry, and she grabbed a juice from the minifridge, propping the phone against her shoulder. She didn’t like where the conversation was going.

“She’s prepared to fly back, but Braithe told her not to come. She was pretty firm about it, so sending Tara might make things worse than they already are. Tara isn’t exactly a calming presence to be around.”

Rainy lifted her chin, wishing the next minute away. “Viola...”

“Please, Rainy.”

“I’m not the one to ask. The others know her better.” But even as Rainy finished her sentence, she was doubting it.

“God, Rainy, I know, and I’m sorry. But damn, what is Braithe thinking? I am in shock. Like, did I ever even know her? All kinds of things are lining up in my head right now that I never saw before.”

“Like what?”

“Okay, remember when Grant covered your living room in flowers on your one-year anniversary?”

How could she forget? Four dozen red roses and that did not include the petals carpeting the floor. She didn’t know anyone knew about that night.

“I guess Grant told Stephen his plans, and of course Stephen told Braithe. I distinctly remember her being annoyed. She said it was ridiculous and wasteful. We teased her about being a salty bitch and she laughed it off, saying she was having a bad day, but later I went to the bathroom, and you know how their bedroom is near the guest bath?”

Rainy nodded even though Viola couldn’t see her.

“I could hear her sobbing in her room. I never asked her about it because—well, obviously it was awkward that I overheard it in the first place. It’s just weird, you know?”

Braithe crying in her room after making a couple comments about flowers didn’t really prove anything, but it was nice that Viola was offering her this information.