Her ponytail bounced, just like her personality. Peppy bangs shiny and conditioned, wearing formfitting yoga pants and a cute matching athletic top. She wore it for style; I wore mine for purpose.

As my gaze wandered, I regretted picking this spot to do this. This memory would spoil any good feelings I’d had, because I’d never be able to walk back in here without the rush of guilt following me. But it was too late for regret and a small price to pay losing my favorite coffee shop after what I’d done behind Robin’s back.

I was readying myself, armed with only my dark roast. I was too nauseous to eat. We’d delivered our morning greetings, complimented the perfect May weather, and nestled into idle conversation. Getting around to the confession was all that was left to do, but it was the hardest part.

“I’m glad we could get this girl time together. It’s never just you and me anymore,” Robin observed. After dropping Lucas off at school, she’d left Collette home with Grant, who had cleared his schedule for a much-needed day off. I knew because he had texted me about it, hinting at seeing me. Luckily I had already planned to tell all, or I might have actually considered his offer.

A weak-willed Jezebel. That’s who I am.

I’d rehearsed my lines in my head, then pictured the aftermath. Robin would storm home to Grant, who’d be there to win her back with apologies and fine jewelry. My timing would be perfect, unless he didn’t come through for Robin as I hoped.

“Sorry about that. I’ve been a bad friend lately. My business has been crazy—lots of new clients, plus I’m working on creating a few new dietary programs. But I’m glad we could sit down and catch up today.”

I didn’t know how to segue into the part about sleeping with her husband. There was no natural transition from my work schedule’s insane to but I made time to sleep with your husband and please don’t kill me.

“That’s great, Lil. So business is booming, huh?”

“Well, it pays the bills. But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. There’s something I need to tell you.”

Just as the courage erupted to get it over with, my cell phone rang. I glanced at the number—not one I recognized. Perhaps a new client referral I shouldn’t pass up.

“One sec. I should probably get this.” I answered the call, pressing the phone to my ear. “Hello, this is Lily Santoro for Workout Wonder.”

A long pause.

“Ciao?” I asked again.

I almost thought the caller had hung up until I heard a breathless, “Fuck. You.”

“Hello? Who is this?”

Then dead air.

“I malano miau, they friggin’ hung up!” I muttered.