Complications Read Free Page B

machine,” Ally observed as the hostess ushered them to a booth, then left them to look over their menus. “In fact, I think I recognize that crack in the wall over there.”
    “It’s comforting to know that some things in this world remain constant.”
    She gave him a look he couldn’t quite puzzle out, coupled with a tiny smile. “I suppose so.”
    They ordered all their old college standbys: Caesar salad, a large double-pepperoni and a carafe of house red. The wine tasted tart and vinegary, but it still packed one hell of a kick; Eric called a halt after a glass and a half, then switched to Perrier. Last thing he needed was to get too intoxicated to drive home, and have to leave the Jag parked on the street overnight.
    Ally, on the other hand, appeared quite happy to polish off the carafe by herself. When she started to fill her glass for the third time, Eric reached over and laid his hand across the mouth of her glass. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”
    The carafe froze in midair. “Who died and made you the booze police?”
    Concern warring with discretion, he slowly pulled his hand back. Hard experience had taught him that pressing the issue would only prove futile. But perhaps a more subtle strategy would yield the desired result. “Go ahead and finish the bottle, if you insist. Good thing you’re wearing flats tonight.”
    For a second, she looked as if she was about to pour herself another anyway. Instead, her gaze flicked from him to the carafe and back again, before she finally set it down. “Fine. Have it your way.”
    Eric signaled for the waitress to take the wine away and bring Ally a glass of water. “This is the second time in as many days that I’ve seen you overindulge.”
    “Haven’t I got a pretty good reason?”
    “That’s exactly why you shouldn’t be doing it. First it’s an excuse, then it becomes a habit, and by that point, it’s too hard to stop. And I should know, after what I went through trying to get my mother to quit.”
    Ally’s expression softened. “You really miss her, don’t you?”
    “More than I can say,” he murmured, the mere thought of her sending a familiar sharp, shiny pain to prick and sting him. “She had her faults, and I’ve lost count of all the time I wanted to shake her until her teeth rattled, but… Aside from Nick, she’s the only person in my entire life I’ve ever truly loved.”
    “Not Barbara?”
    There was a question he wasn’t expecting. It sent a jolt of surprise jetting through him. “Most definitely not Barbara.”
    “Then…well, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you marry her?”
    He let out a weak laugh. “Maybe I should order some more wine before I answer that.”
    “Look, if you don’t want to tell me, it’s fine. I shouldn’t have asked.”
    But she had, and now he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Might as well tell her and satisfy her curiosity. “Three years ago, I hired a team of strategists to help me do long-range planning for my senatorial run. They told me if it came out that I was living with another man, there’s no way I would ever get elected. But they also said the public’s more inclined to forgive a man for a few youthful indiscretions if it appears that he’s put them behind him and settled down into domestic life.”
    “Enter Barbara.”
    He nodded, then took a long sip of his mineral water before continuing. “She and I were old friends from high school. We hadn’t seen each other in years, until we ran into each other at some charity event. I took her to dinner a few times, and we hit it off again. She wasn’t married or seeing anyone, so I…proposed a bargain.”
    He’d had a feeling Ally might be shocked, and her slack-jawed expression didn’t disappoint. “You mean you bought yourself a wife?”
    “I wouldn’t put it that way. It’s not as if I had to bribe or coerce her. She was more than willing.”
    “But…Jesus, Eric! Are you telling me you kicked Nick out to