“Yes, and then Alex. It started at a clambake in Nantucket.”

“He was with several women over the years, but never married.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Just like Kent Harper never did?”

Juliet flinched—Mia saw it—then she slowly nodded. “Yes, very much like Kent.”

“And the two of you didn’t realize you weren’t suited until only three weeks before the wedding?”

Mia saw Juliet was used to this question. She eased, gave an elegant shrug, trotted out her canned response. “Like many women, I suppose I was all wrapped up in the excitement. It was a whirlwind time, so much to be done even with a wedding planner, who, I might add, would have made an excellent Nazi general. My parents were ecstatic, his parents were ecstatic, all our friends approved. We finally realized we’d simply dived into the deep end, both of us ignoring our real feelings, not thinking objectively.” She looked down at her tightly folded hands, and the words spurted out of her mouth. “And there was Kent.”

23

Mia

Mia saw a flash of revulsion. And fear? “Kent Harper had something to do with your wedding being called off?”

Juliet shrugged, but Mia saw her fingers digging into her pant legs. “Let’s just say Kent is Kent. And if you’re with Alex, Kent is a part of the package.”

Mia said, “I had a boyfriend once whose best friend was always hanging around. It came to feel like I was dating both of them. Is that how it was with you?”

“Well, yes, I suppose so.”

“Did Kent have something to do with your breaking your engagement with Alex?”

“I’ve told you, the decision was mutual, Ms. Briscoe, and we do deserve some privacy, don’t you think?”

Mia looked down at her tablet, as if she were checking her notes, looked up. “I understand Mr. Harrington and Mr. Harper have always been like brothers, from their earliest years. Gaming was and still is one of their major pastimes?”

“Gaming, yes, and most anything else they could do together. Alex and Kent both played lacrosse at Bennington Prep and then, of course, at Harvard. But you’re right, gaming was their staple growing up. They’ve cut back now that they have to be responsible adults, particularly Alex and the political path he wants to take. From what I hear, they’re both doing well. I imagine they’re still very close.”

“You mentioned Alex played lacrosse. Do you remember if he was ever injured?”

“No, I don’t remember. And I wasn’t even here. I was in England until I was eighteen and then I was off to Juilliard.”