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The Other Woman

In spite of what I'd said to Lisa Marie, my onetime slip-up with Edge was not that at all. It quickly became a full-fledged affair as we met repeatedly for two months after that first night.

Whenever I was with Jeff, I was completely wracked with guilt. He was the sweetest guy, and he loved me. How could I not feel like crap? More than a few times, I considered telling him the truth. But when I looked into his green, trusting eyes and saw pure love for me clearly shining within, I couldn't do it. It was selfish, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it and not have him look at me in the same way anymore. Besides, he would be crushed, so unbelievably, incredibly hurt.

I met Candice for drinks at a bar off Madison and twelfth. It wasn't AJ's bar, The Red Saloon, as he and Jeff had actually grown to be fast friends upon meeting each other. I couldn't risk AJ overhearing what I was about to confess out of fear of him telling Jeff.

"Okay, I need to tell you something," I began. I closed my eyes, exhaling audibly and then eyed my friend squarely in her brown orbs. "I'm having an affair with Edge."

Candice's face reflected the shock she felt over my news.

"Whoa... Okay, I did not see that one coming."

"It's been going on for two months now," I told her. "He made the first move and told me that marrying Barbie was a mistake, and-"

"Just a sec." The brunette turned toward the bartender and gestured prettily with one forefinger. "Can I get a double scotch on the rocks?"

"Oh, sweetie, don't overdo it."

"I'll be fine," she said, meeting my eyes. "Really... I'll sip slowly. I just... This is big."

I nodded and agreed with her.

"I know."

A moment later, the bartender passed Candice her stiff drink. She took a small sip as I began to freak out.

"Candice, I need help!" I cried. "Tell me something - anything!"

"What about Jeff?" she asked calmly.

"Yes - thank you!" I exclaimed. "What about Jeff? He's such a great guy, and I've been thinking of telling him, but... I don't know. It would hurt him so badly."

"What about Edge's marriage?" the brunette brought up. "He said that he made a mistake in marrying her?"

"Yeah," I said with a nod. "He said it was too fast and that he still loves me. Oh, God!" I moaned and lowered my head into my hands.

Candice stared at me in silence for a beat as she thought of a few other factors. Then, she spoke again.

"Amy? Does anyone else know about this?"

"Just Lisa Marie," I told her. "I told her the night of her housewarming thing, after you and Trish left. That was after the first time."

"Trish..." the brunette thought aloud. Her gaze trailed sideways, and then she fixed it on me again. "Does she know?"

"Oh, God, no," I replied. The truth was, I was practically deathly afraid of Trish finding out. I knew what her reaction would be, and she would probably take it almost personally. I was also fearful that she, much like Jeff, would never look at me the same way again.

"Don't tell her," Candice advised. "There's no way she would handle it well."

I nodded. There was some comfortable - or maybe actually awkward - silence between us.

"Amy, listen to me," the brunette said gently as she reached for my hand, "you have to end it."

"I know," I said with a vigorous nod.

"You have to."

"Absolutely... I will," I said, gazing directly into my friend's concerned eyes.

*

Unfortunately, it wasn't as simple as doing what Candice had insisted I do. I saw Edge again just two days after my bar stop with the brunette. I honestly had all intentions of ending things right then and there... But somehow, we ended up checking into a hotel on fifty-eighth and Broadway.

I sat up in the bed in my bra and panties, staring ahead at nothing and feeling bewildered. I definitely was in too deep, but I felt horrible.

"Babe?" Edge called, his hand gently snaking out to come to rest on my bare arm. "Hey, you okay there?"

"Could I feel any more like a hooker?" I said aloud.

"Oh, come on," he remarked. In seconds, he was pulling me into his embrace, kissing and nuzzling me affectionately. His long blond hair tickled my face, and I leaned into his touch initially but then pulled away.

"What?" he asked, reaching for me - well, more aptly, for the waistband at the back of my panties. "Saving it all for your boyfriend?" He said that in such a mocking tone that I was suddenly angry.

"Don't talk about him!" I shouted. "You know nothing about him!"

"I know he's not giving you everything you need... If he was, you wouldn't be here with me right now."

That comment plus the little chuckle with which Edge chased it had me bolting up and out of the bed altogether. I collected my various garments from the floor and promptly got dressed.

He knew my moods and knew them well.

"Oh, come on, Amy... I'm sorry, okay?" he pleaded.

With my pants on, I whirled around to face him.

"Don't ever talk to me like that again!" I snapped. I knew there was fire in my eyes as I went on. "I mean it. And I don't see you gallivanting off to end your marriage, so why wouldn't I feel like a whore?"

"Amy, you're not a whore," the blond man protested. "I love you... And I'm going to talk to Barbie the second I get home. That's a promise."

I stared at him, and he did look damn sincere. I had no doubt in my mind that he meant what he'd just said and that he would tell his wife about us.

"No, wait..."

Edge eyed me expectantly, but his expression changed when he realized I was hesitant. He was frowning as I continued.

"Maybe it's not the best time to do this," I said.

He nodded, then shrugged.

"Whatever you want," he said resignedly.

Fifteen minutes later, we were in the hotel lobby. Edge was paying and returning the room key while I was standing somewhat away, waiting for him.

"Excuse me..."

I looked up into the face of a man I'd never seen before.

"I've seen you here before," he said. "How much do you charge?"

My eyes widened with shock and outrage. The implications of what the man thought - about me - were clear as crystal. I didn't respond and charged directed to Edge, pissed.

"I'm out of here... A guy just approached me thinking I was a hooker!"

"What?" He gazed around the area, his expression darkening with anger. "Who? I'll punch his lights out," he said between clenched teeth.

"Oh, forget it," I snapped. I turned and rushed out the door, but things were about to go from bad to even worse.

I was on the sidewalk maybe thirty seconds before I regretted going out there... I suddenly saw Trish, of all people, heading right in my direction. There was no use in turning away or pretending I didn't see her, so I stood there awaiting my fate like a champ.

"Amy, hi!" she said as she neared me. She was smiling brightly. "What are you doing in this neighborhood?"

"Oh, nothing... What about you?"

"I had an appointment with a new fertility specialist," the blonde explained. "I just-"

"Amy, there you are!"

We both looked up as Edge appeared. I swung my gaze right back to Trish and knew she'd instantly figured out what was going on. The look on her face told me.

"Hi, Trish," Edge said. "I was just doing business in the area, and-"

"I... I have to go," the blonde declared, interrupting him.

"Wait!"

Instead of responding, Trish acted as though she didn't hear me as she walked away. I exchanged glances with Edge and felt just horrible. He gave me an apologetic look... But I knew I really had no one to blame but myself.
 
 
 
 

Part 36

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