It was worse than she thought. Selena groaned and took her fingers through her hair as she sat in her office, staring at the major headline in the Illinois Tribune.

Runaway Bride and Friends Turn Police Vigilantes

Two pictures showed Phoebe, Eden and Selena running out of the bridal shop and then being put in the back of the police cruiser. The article conveniently left out any mention of Samiyah going into labor, making it seem like the trio was intentionally trying to steal the wedding dress. It was completely misleading and sharply edited. It was no wonder her mother had been calling for the last hour, and Selena had just made it to work. Besides that, the word vigilante didn’t even fit this context, even if they were trying to steal a damn dress.

With Samiyah out of the office and Claudia working between S & M and her charity Caregivers Organization, Selena and Octavia were in for an arduous work week. A soaring whistle left Selena’s mouth in a slow drugging sigh. When the phone on her desk began to ring, it didn’t surprise Selena that her mother resulted to calling her job when she couldn’t get Selena on her cell.

“Good morning, Mom,” she answered.

“Oh, finally you answer the phone!” Margaret Strauss shouted. “Young lady, what is going on, and why do I find out through WTZB news that you’re a part of some vigilante team!?”

Selena groaned again. Not only were they in the newspaper, but also on TV. This was a mess that Selena had to fix somehow.

“Mom, you haven’t heard this from me because you know it’s not true.”

“So, you didn’t run out of a bridal shop with your friend in a wedding dress? Because there’s a picture of you all fleeing the store.”

Selena wondered who’d snapped the pictures. She’d grown accustomed to being caught in a picture or two because of the Rose family’s popularity. Anytime something silly came out in the newspaper or on TV, she would roll her eyes and laugh it off. But this was just ridiculous. Whoever it was must have been lying in wait for them to leave the bridal shop. It wouldn’t surprise her if the owner called the paparazzi herself, trying to make a quick buck.

“We were there for Phoebe’s fitting, Ma. You know she’s newly engaged to Quentin Davidson.”

“Yes, I am aware, but how does that explain these pictures and accusations. Police vigilante?”

“They’re twisting the story. Samiyah’s water broke while we were there, an—”

“Oh my God, Samiyah’s water broke!?” Margaret asked, slicing through Selena’s words.

“Yes, Ma, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. When her water broke, we all panicked and ran out of the shop, trying to get Samiyah to the hospital. Phoebe didn’t mean to take the dress. She was trying it on at the time.”

“Hmm,” Margaret mumbled. “The news anchor didn’t say anything about that.”

Selena sighed.

“Well, what are we going to do about this? They can’t get away with calling you guys vigilantes. We’ll sue them!” Margaret shouted.

The buzzing in Selena’s ear made her question her mother’s whereabouts.

“Ma, where are you?”

“Oh, I’m at Sunny Nails.”

Selena imagined her primping mom, sitting in a nail salon with the phone stuck to one ear and the other hand in the nail tech’s lap. Margaret never went a day without making sure her appearance was flawless for her husband. Margaret had always told Selena, if you don’t dress nice and look good for your husband another hussy will. Margaret stuck to her daily routine. But now that she and Selena’s father were headed for divorce, Selena wondered if all of her mother’s upkeep had been for naught.

“I’m handling it, Ma, don’t worry.”

“How?”

Selena glanced at her clock on the wall.

“I’ve got a friend who’s helping me resolve the matter.”

The phone went quiet.

“Ma?”

“Would this friend happen to be Jordan?”

Selena could hear the smile in her mother’s voice. Margaret had been a true advocate for Selena finding a husband. That was Selena’s goal, too, so when Selena slipped and mentioned Jordan’s name during dinner one night, Margaret did not rest until she questioned Selena from here to kingdom come. However, Selena didn’t feel the need to gloat about a relationship between her and Jordan when the nature of her parents’ divorce loomed.

“How’s Dad?” Selena asked, steering the conversation away from her and Jordan.

The silence that followed twisted Selena’s gut.

“Ma?”

“You’ll have to call your father and ask him, baby.”

Selena shut her eyes and propped her elbows on the desk, clasping her head in her hand. She gave a slow rotation to her temples as she felt the signs of a small headache coming on.

“You can’t tell me? I’m talking to you now.”

The phone went silent again, and Selena blew out a harsh breath. It was interesting how Margaret had plenty to say when she wasn’t talking about her marriage.

“I haven’t talked to him in a few days,” her mother revealed.

The information slapped Selena across the face. “What are you talking about?”

Margaret sighed. “He’s been staying at the Ritz Carlton.”

To say Selena was shocked was the understatement of the year. A wave of dread coursed through her, and suddenly Selena’s heart felt weighed down.

“How long has he been staying at the Ritz?”

“For a few days.”

“I don’t understand why you guys are doing this now. You’ve been together forever. Do you not love each other anymore?”

Selena held back the tears that threatened to fall, but her voice shook as she spoke.

“It’s not that simple, baby. Our marriage has been going downhill for a while now.”

“What’s a while?”

“I don’t know, maybe two or three years.”

Flabbergasted, Selena pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it incredulously.

“Two or three years? Are you kidding me?”

Margaret sighed again. “I wish I were, but you have to understand, sweetheart, sometimes people just grow apart.”

“Grow apart?” Selena bit down on her teeth. “If you were simply going to grow apart, wouldn’t that have happened, oh I don’t know, fifty years ago!?”

“I know you’re upset, but you must understand—”

“No! You must understand!” Selena screeched, forgetting she was in her work environment. “You’re telling me that you and dad have been having marital issues for three years, but no one told me anything. I’ve been thinking all this time that you guys were happy-go-lucky! Then you spring it on me when you just can’t stand to be around each other another minute, and I’m supposed to what, take it in stride?”

“Baby, listen—”

“Just because I’m not a child anymore doesn’t mean this doesn’t hurt like hell! Ugh!”

Selena slammed the phone down, concurrently slapping the desk with the palm of her hand. She seethed and dropped her head down in a heap on the mahogany surface, feeling defeated. She had so many questions and a mind to corner them both and demand they give her answers. They’d been the ones to instill values of honesty, integrity, and faithfulness in her. How apropos that they didn’t offer it in return.

There was a swift knock at the door followed by a feminine voice.

“Are you okay?”

Octavia Davenport strolled into the room with her sister girl afro slicked back in a tight ponytail that sprouted out the back. She approached the front of Selena’s desk, and her manicured hands sank into the wooden counter as she leaned to get a closer look at her friend.

“Is this about the news?”

That seemed to frustrate Selena even more. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it was beginning to feel like the end of Selena’s.

“Not exactly.” Selena sat up and leaned back in her chair, allowing the swiveling seat to spin one time around. She placed her hands back on her temples and rubbed slowly. “I didn’t mean to get loud. I know we have clients in the building. It just seems like my life is crumbling, and I can’t figure out how to get a hold of it before everything falls apart.”

The sincerity in Octavia’s eyes was shown in the subtle way she slowly sat in one of the visitor’s chairs and reached out to Selena.

“This is about your parents, isn’t it?”

Selena pursed her lips. If steam could sprout out of her nose, it would. Selena nodded.

“I wish I could say I understood, but I can’t. However, we could have a girls’ night if that would make you feel better, and you can release all that pent-up anger you’re holding inside.”

Selena could barely smirk. She knew Octavia was trying to help, but the only thing that could release her pent-up anger was a romp in the sack with Jordan. And by the way their night ended, Selena didn’t see it happening anytime soon.

“I may take you up on your offer.”

Octavia smiled softly. “Great, I can pick up a few things from the store, we could have wine, and I can make us dinner.”

Selena was shaking her head no.

“Why not?”

“Because the last thing I want to do is sit around you and Jonathon drooling all over each other.”

Octavia opened her mouth to protest.

“Don’t even try and convince me. If you really want to have drinks, we can go out. Besides, I may need a good ol’ one-night stand to really take the edge off.”

Octavia gasped and gawked at Selena. One thing was for sure, Selena didn’t have any semblance of a filter. Most of the time, she said what was on her mind, which wasn’t always a good thing, but that didn’t stop her from doing it.

“I thought you were dating Jordan?”

Selena shrugged.

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know!” Selena stood suddenly.

“Whaaa?” Octavia was utterly confused. “I just saw you two last night looking like lovebirds, and now you don’t know? What happened between the time you left the hospital and went home?”

Selena just stared at Octavia for a long second. Madison happened, she thought. Her phone call had thrown Selena off, making her a Bitter Betty.

“I don’t think I’m the only one he’s dating,” Selena said.

Octavia frowned. “Why do you think that?”

“Madison Santari is constantly ringing his line. I think they have a thing.”

“Did you ask him about it?”

Selena shrugged and mumbled.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you,” Octavia said, folding her arms.

“No, okay, and I don’t plan to either.”

“Why not?”

“Because,” Selena said, annoyed. “What do I look like questioning him about what he does? He’s a grown man. It’s his business.”

“But you’re dating him. I think you have a right to know where you stand.”

“Yeah, but you of all people know that when you’re dating, it doesn’t make you exclusive. You used to date different men all the time before Jonathon put a ring on it.”

“Which is all the more reason why you should ask.”

“I don’t want to come off as a—”

“What person who’s in like with the man she’s dating? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

Selena sighed. “I just don’t feel comfortable asking, okay. Jordan’s a big boy, he knows we’re dating. If he respects me and wants to be exclusive, then I won’t have to ask.”

“Do you respect him?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Then why are you talking about jumping in the sack with someone else?”

Selena shook her head in frustration. Octavia straight-up turned the tables on her, and Selena didn’t appreciate it.

“I thought you were supposed to be on my side?”

“I am. I’m just calling the kettle black, honey. In your own words, you feel that if Jordan cares enough about you he wouldn’t be courting someone else.”

“Courting? What is this 1999?”

“Anyway,” Octavia said, “you have to give Jordan the same respect you feel he should give you.”

“So, that means I can talk to other people then because that’s what he’s doing.”

“You don’t know he’s talking to Madison. You’re assuming. So just come right out and ask already.”

“Says the person who hid her true feelings for her now lover, best friend and husband,” Selena said.

“You’re right. I had my reasons. But you, Selena Strauss, have always been outspoken about everything, and never met a challenge you couldn’t beat. So, I’ll ask this question. Do you plan to let Madison run away with your guy? Because if she is a skank, then you’re giving him right on over.”

Selena sighed and rolled her eyes. Not because what Octavia said was ridiculous, but because she was right, and Selena didn’t want to hear it.

Octavia arched a brow, waiting for her response.

“What time are you picking me up tonight?” Selena asked.

“I’ll tell you when you answer my question.”

“I need to think about it, okay?”

Octavia peered at her and sighed. “Okay, fine, it’s your life. I’ll be there around eight, so be ready.”

“I will be ready at seven. It’s not like I have anything else to do, ya know.”

Octavia rose to her feet and mumbled as she gravitated toward the door.

“Can you send in my next client, please?”

“Sure thing.”

Selena stood and strolled to the window to look out over the city. Traffic was normal for this time of the day, and the sun sat high, but Selena knew the wind chill was almost below freezing.

As she watched pedestrians move below, someone cleared their throat. When Selena turned around and saw her father, Walter Strauss, she glowered at him, knowing her depression would venture on into the afternoon.