Diana had been there herself the previous summer, and for a long time before that. Maybe it hadn’t been exactly the same pain, but she’d been stuck in a depression so dark it had threatened to take her down with it.
“I don’t want to nag you and I’m not going to lecture you. But I do want to tell you that I’ve been…mixed up…before. And sometimes it helps to talk to someone who can be objective.”
“No way.”
“I didn’t want to either. But there were some people at the Dolphin Institute who worked with the kids there. Counselors. And they helped me get through the stuff with Adam and Ross.”
“Diana, you were nearly raped by your boyfriend’s brother. I, on the other hand, got a little dizzy. I fail to see the comparison.”
Diana tapped her fingers on the table. She was tempted to give up, but she knew that was just what Marquez wanted.
“I know you’re strapped for cash right now,” Diana said. “I’d really like to help you out with the counseling costs. It’d sort of be…you know, like things coming full circle.”
“I am not interested in becoming your pet project. And no way am I taking any more of your damn money!” Marquez exploded, so loudly that customers looked up in alarm.
Diana held up her hands as if she were placating an onrushing bull. She couldn’t handle Marquez’s legendary temper just then. It wasn’t the time or place. Later on she’d try again.
“All right, all right, whatever. If you don’t want my help, though, keep in mind there are places that will do the counseling for free, or—”
Marquez pounded her fist on the table. “We are not here to discuss my battle with cellulite. We are here to discuss you. You, Diana. Predatory witch of the planet.”
Blythe returned with Diana’s coffee and muffin. “Listen, I wanted to ask you guys something, but I’m getting the feeling this isn’t a good time. Am I right?”
“Yes,” Marquez growled.
“No,” Diana said. “What is it, Blythe?”
“I just wanted to tell you that I’m having a little party this evening. I get off in fifteen minutes, then I’m heading over to Turtle Beach to do a barbecue. It’s sort of for Caroline, this friend of mine who’s visiting. And, well, I know you just got back, Diana, and Summer will probably be busy with Seth, but it’d be great if you could stop by.”
“Thanks, Blythe,” Diana said politely. She kept her gaze trained on Marquez as if she were an attack dog who might pounce if Diana let down her guard. “I’ll pass the word.”
“Great.” Blythe grinned. “Now I’ll let you get back to your argument.”
“It’s not an argument,” Diana said.
Marquez nodded. “It’s more like a nuclear skirmish.”
“You don’t have to tell me about it. Why do you think I don’t have any roommates?”
Diana leaned across the table when Blythe was out of earshot. “Excuse me? Did I hear you right? Predatory witch of the planet?”
“Good point. I should have said universe.”
“I’m impressed, Marquez.” Diana took a sip from her coffee. “Predatory is a certified four-syllable word. Too bad you have no idea what it means.”
“Oh, I looked it up, Diana.” Marquez checked the door and lowered her voice. “It said ‘See New Year’s Eve.’”
Diana did not allow herself to react. She kept her expression carefully neutral. She took another sip of her coffee. She tore off a bit of her muffin.
On the outside she looked unfazed. Inside was another story. Her stomach was busily trying out for the Olympic gymnastics team.
How did Marquez know? How could she possibly know?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Marquez,” she said, her voice as smooth as silk.
“I found the letter, Diana. The love letter you never sent to Seth. I know you’re still in love with him. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why you went out to California.”
“And why is that?”
Marquez favored Diana with an arctic smile. “I’ll give you a clue. It wasn’t to spend quality time with mommy dearest.”
For a fraction of a second Diana wanted to bolt. Run away, lick her wounds, regroup.
She was furious with Marquez for going through her private letters. She was horrified at the potential consequences if all this came out.
But mostly she was desperately humiliated to have been found out this way. Especially by Marquez, of all people.
Tears stung her eyes, which just added to the embarrassment. She looked away, biting down on her lower lip to keep it from quivering.
“Okay,” Diana said at last. “So you know. Now what?”
“Now you tell me,” Marquez said darkly, “how you could pull a thing like this with your own cousin. Summer is a stand-up girl, Diana. How could you do this to her? To me, sure. I could handle it—”
“Unfortunately, your taste runs toward guys with parole officers, Marquez.”
“Not Diver,” Marquez said proudly.
“Okay, he’s the exception that proves the rule.” Diana sneaked a quick dab at her eyes with her napkin. “Look, I know how this seems. But before you accuse me of any more mortal sins, you should remember this, Marquez. I tried like crazy to get Summer and Seth back together over spring break. I was the one who went to Seth and said, ‘Look, you’ve made your share of mistakes, too, Seth. Give her a second chance.’” She took a shaky breath. “So he did, and what did he get for his trouble? Austin Reed, right back in the picture. You can say what you want, Marquez. But Summer’s still in love with Austin. I’m sorry. I think Seth deserves better than that.”
“So instead of Summer he gets Vampira, Queen of the Undead?”
“Instead of Summer,” Diana whispered, “he gets someone who really loves him.”
For the first time Marquez seemed to relent. She leaned back in her chair, toying with a package of Sweet’n Low, lost in thought. “I’ll give you this much. It’s true that Summer’s real confused right now. I think she has strong feelings for Seth and for Austin. But she told Austin it was over, Diana. I think she’s worried sick about losing Seth.” She gave a laugh. “I mean, we spent an entire day searching for a fake ring to replace her engagement ring.”
Diana swallowed. “You did?” she asked, attempting nonchalance. “And did you find something?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s a pretty convincing fake too. Turns out Seth could have spent seven ninety-five and saved himself a fortune.”
She should never have taken that ring to California. She should have known that ruse would come back to haunt her.
She was such an idiot.
But she’d been desperate. And desperate times called for desperate measures.
“This just proves my point,” Diana said, embarrassed by the plaintive sound of her own voice. “This is just the kind of unfair tactic Summer pulls. Why not just tell Seth she lost the ring? If there’s nothing there, why not just tell him about Austin?”
“Because it would hurt Seth, Diana. Because she wants to protect him. I know that’s a difficult concept for you to grasp, since you’re a great believer in the black widow approach to mating. But that’s how Summer is. I’m not saying she’s not making a mess in the process, but her heart’s in the right place.”
Diana looked out the window, watching the shadows shift with the breeze. “So now what? Now you’re going to tell her everything?”
Marquez dropped her head into her hands. “I don’t know,” she said wearily. “I don’t know what the hell to do. I hate soap operas. I watch The Daily Show, not Days of Our Lives. I don’t know—you tell me.”
“You’re going to follow my advice?”
“No, I’m going to do the opposite of whatever you tell me to do.”
“Marquez, I won’t deny I’d hoped Seth would choose me over Summer. But if that’s not the way it’s going to work out, what good will it do for you to tell her the truth? If Summer finds out about Seth and me, it’ll be over b
etween them for sure.”
Marquez lifted her head. “Yeah, but if I don’t tell her, evil will go unpunished. I can’t let you just walk away from this, Diana.”
“So all of a sudden you’re the FBI?”
“I like to think of myself as God’s avenging angel.”
Diana crumpled up her napkin and tossed it aside. “I’ll be punished, all right.” Tears came again, and this time she let them fall. “I won’t get Seth.”
Marquez nodded. “For once, Diana, it appears you are actually telling the truth. Which worries me, since I believe that’s one of the first signs of the apocalypse.”
“Well, then, I’m glad we cleared the air.” Diana shoved back her chair. “Just one more thing. If you ever go prying into my personal life again, you will be very, very sorry.”
“I was just cleaning up your mess, Diana. The box of letters slipped.”
“And you accidentally pulled that particular letter out of its envelope and accidentally read it. What are the odds of that, I wonder?”
“It was a real fluke,” Marquez agreed.
Diana didn’t smile. “You betrayed our friendship, Marquez.”
“What friendship? We can’t have one, not after the way you betrayed Summer.”
“Fine. You won’t see me grieving.” Diana dropped a five-dollar bill on the table and walked away without another word.
Halfway upstairs Diana changed her mind. She headed outside and around the house, toward the backyard.
She should never have written that letter. Wasn’t that the unwritten lesson of politicians? Shred all the evidence. Deniability was everything.
She paused behind a stand of palm trees. Summer and Seth were still by the pool, deep in conversation. His hand was on her thigh, and he was gazing at her like a worshipful puppy. It was a miracle his tongue wasn’t hanging out.
Diana had given him so much. She thought of their weekend together. His warm sheets. The dark night falling over them like a secret.
She’d shown him her heart.
She’d done that only once before, with Adam. He had betrayed her. It had taken her a long time to find a way to get even with him, but she had.
If Seth was just using her, if he was going to crawl back into Summer’s arms, then Diana had nothing more to lose. Her self-respect would already be in tatters.
This time she already knew how she’d fight back.
That letter might come in handy after all.
10
She’s Not Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of Her Hair
When Diana returned to the apartment, she found Marquez in the kitchen doing dishes.
“Oh. It’s just you,” Marquez snarled.
“I’m taking a shower.”
“By all means, keep me posted.”
Diana made a beeline for the bathroom. She cranked up Marquez’s portable radio, which sat on the orange crate that served as a makeshift table. Joan Osborne was wailing bitterly about lost love. Perfect shower music for the newly betrayed.
She gazed at her reflection. What was it about Summer that Seth found so irresistible? Or maybe the question was, what was it about Diana that he found so resistible?
Or maybe the question was, how could she have made such a mess of things?
Diana stripped off her clothes, turned the shower on as hot as she could stand it, and stepped under the spray. She wanted to wash off the hours of travel dirt she’d accumulated. And, if possible, she wanted to wash away the residue of ickiness she felt about Seth and her. It was equal parts guilt, distaste, and anger. She doubted a little Dial lather and hot water could remove it.
Diana surveyed the assortment of shampoos perched on the edge of the tub. It was amazing how much stuff in plastic bottles accumulated when you gave three girls one shower to share. Marquez was all Suave products, no frills. Summer bought anything that smelled good. Diana bought her shampoo and conditioner from salons, and the bottles always had pretend words such as volumizing on the label.
She selected something from the Body Shop that smelled like tangerines. It belonged to Summer. Swiping it was not as gratifying as Diana had hoped. It did not exactly make up for the awful poolside kiss she’d witnessed.
Someone knocked at the door.
“I’m in the shower, Marquez,” she called.
The door opened a crack. “It’s not Marquez. It’s me, Seth. Can I come in?”
Diana peered around the shower curtain. “Is Summer coming too?” she inquired coldly.
“She’s down in the laundry room. And Marquez is checking the mail.” Seth glanced over his shoulder. “We have to talk, Diana. Now.”
Diana motioned him in. “If Summer finds you in here, Seth, you’re the one who gets to explain why we’re suddenly into group showers.”
Seth slipped in and leaned against the door. He crossed his arms over his chest. “She’s wearing my ring,” he reported in a low, ominous voice.
Diana rinsed off her hair. She turned off the shower and held out her hand. “Gimme a towel, at least.”
“Sure. As soon as you give me an explanation.”
“Seth, I’m wet and naked and not in the mood for an inquisition. The ring’s a fake, obviously.”
Seth passed her a towel, careful to lower his eyes.
“What, all of a sudden you’re not interested?” Diana demanded. “As I recall it, you were plenty interested the other night.”
She wrapped the towel around her and stepped out of the shower. She felt slightly ridiculous and extremely self-conscious.
Seth was staring at his hazy reflection. “A fake,” he repeated, watching himself say the word, as if he could locate the truth in the mirror.
“She bought a cheap ring to fake you out when she found out you were coming home. Marquez told me.”
Seth stared at her. He had the tortured look of a math student tackling an unsolvable problem. “But why would she do that?” he asked in a whisper.
“How do I know? I’ve long since given up reading Summer’s complicated little mind. She may seem like sweetness and light, Seth, but she’s manipulating you all over the map. Now would you please go? I’m freezing my butt off here.”
Seth’s tone became hard. “How do I know the ring you showed me in California wasn’t a fake?”
“Trust me. I can tell. My mother has more diamond rings than Elizabeth Taylor. It was your ring, all right.”
Seth looked unconvinced.
“Play Columbo. Check the one she’s wearing, Seth. See for yourself.”
“I’m not sure I could tell. I mean, I’m no jeweler.”
Diana felt herself losing patience. She adjusted her towel, took a deep breath, and prayed she wouldn’t say something she’d regret. “Seth,” she said softly, reasonably, “have you forgotten about Austin? Set aside the whole question of the ring. Assume I’m lying about it, although Lord knows why I would. What about Austin?”
Seth gazed at the yellowed linoleum. “You know, I could replace this for you guys,” he said vaguely.
“Seth. Track with me here. What about Austin?”
He nodded slowly. “I know. I know I have to confront her about him. I just…wanted to hold her for a minute, be with her like nothing had changed.”
“Nothing?” Diana exploded. “Everything’s changed, Seth! Have you forgotten how furious you were this weekend? What happened to all your righteous indignation?” She lowered her voice. “Have you forgotten what went on between us? What was I? Just a cheap stand-in?” She went to him and grabbed his arms. “She loves Austin, Seth. Don’t be fooled. I’ve seen them together, laughing and whispering. I’ve seen him with his hands all over her.”
She could feel him tense. “I don’t know what to believe anymore,” he said.
“Believe your ears, Seth. Confront her. You’ll hear her lies and then you’ll know.”
Seth gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod. “There’s some kind of beach party tonight, Marquez said. I’ll get Summer alone and I’ll confr
ont her. I will.”
“I hope so, Seth,” Diana said. “I can’t go on this way. And neither can you. Now beat it. I still have to volumize.”
His gaze locked on her, seeming for the first time to see her. “You smell like tangerines,” he said.
“You like it?”
“Yeah, I do. Summer’s hair always smells like tangerines too.”
11
Diver Moves In and Austin Moves On
Austin lay sprawled on his dilapidated couch, watching as Diver unpacked his meager possessions.
“Man, you do live light, don’t you?” he said. He took another swig of his beer, one of several he planned on consuming before the evening was over.
Diver shrugged. “A sleeping bag, a cup, a fork, a toothbrush, a bar of soap. What else does a man need?”
“A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and someone other than thou,” Austin replied. “Speaking of, want a beer?”
“I don’t drink. It disturbs my wa.”
“Your wa, you say?”
Diver shrugged. “My inner harmony. I used to think girls disturbed my wa too. But then I met Marquez.”
“By the way, she called right before you got here. Something about a party over on Turtle Beach at sunset.”
“Hmm. Want to come?”
“Nope. Gotta work.” Austin consulted his watch. “As a matter of fact, I’m already late. And anyway, your sister might be at the party. As it happens, she’s been disturbing my wa all to hell.”
“I know. I’m sorry about that.”
Austin watched Diver meticulously reroll his sleeping bag. It left a sprinkling of white sand on the floor.
“You’re a man of few words, Diver,” Austin said. “A fine quality in a roommate. Although I wouldn’t have complained if you’d brought a state-of-the-art stereo along with your fork and your toothbrush.”
“I didn’t have electricity at my last place. It was in a tree.”
“Somehow that doesn’t particularly surprise me.”
Diver scanned a pile of CDs on a bookcase. “I notice a lot of classical cello CDs.”