Marty walked back to the table as I processed that last remark. We sat, silently watching all the rich and wannabe-rich people as they came and went through the restaurant’s door. After Marty had downed a double vodka, I finally said, “You feel like another game?” His eyes were a little woozy, but he was still in control.

“Sure. What’d you have in mind?”

“A good game of make-believe.”

Chapter 28

Marty just stared at me. “A game of make-believe?”

“It’s only fair. You owe me this one.”

Marty leaned back and raised his hands. “I’m not arguing. Anything you want.”

I said, “Anything?”

“Anything at all.” That smile said he was sincere.

I let him consider his words and just gazed into his eyes. He really was a good-looking man and a lot of fun to hang out with. I said, “Let’s go see Brennan. I need a little confrontation with him. I want to settle our differences, and he needs to see I’ve moved on. I want the satisfaction of him seeing us as a couple. Then I’m going to tell him you make me feel like he never could.”

“What do I have to do?”

I smiled and patted his hand as I said, “Just look pretty.”

“I can do that.” He gave me a sly smile and said, “I can do a lot more if you want. I’d like to see that prick piss his pants.”

I thought about it, imagining Brennan with urine staining his expensive slacks, and it made me smile. Marty tended to make me smile.

“I just feel like there’s something I have to get off my chest with that guy.”

“Are you kidding? Brennan treated you terribly, and you have a right to get anything you want off your chest. He needs a dose of his own medicine.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

When Marty wandered off again, I grabbed four twenties from my purse and laid them on the table. I wanted to scoot out of there with minimum fuss.

My friend Lisa Martz, who had introduced Marty and me, came through the front door and saw me. She came right to the table and gave me a hug.

Lisa said, “Look at you, aren’t you a vision. How’s it going with Marty?”

Before I could answer, Marty was next to her, ready with a hug.

I didn’t feel like chatting. I was focused. I wanted to have it out with Brennan. I felt my impatience grow as Lisa chatted about the most Palm Beach of things: houses, cars, and scandals.

When Lisa moved on to another table to spread the gossip of the island, Marty and I were alone. He said, “When do you want to play this little game of yours?”

“Why not tonight?”

Chapter 29

I had to stop at the Brazilian Court and left Marty in the car. I stopped and spoke with Allie at the front desk, then rushed to my room. One advantage of living in such a tiny space is that nothing ever takes long to find. I was back in the car in a few minutes and found Marty listening to the Moody Blues on the radio.