Chapter 271

My heart skipped a beat, and I was flushed with adrenaline -- though I wasn't sure whether it was from fear or anticipation.

"He took his girlfriend to LA for the weekend," Rita continued. "And I confronted him about it."

"How'd you find out?" I asked.

"One of my girlfriends was out there and saw him," she said. "So she texted me. Girl Code."

I nodded and said, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," she said, waving a hand nonchalantly. "We've always had a kind of detente about his philandering. But since you and I have become ... well, I don't know how exactly to describe it. But I have feelings for you, John."

"Those feelings are mutual," I said.

"I know," she said and looked at me warmly. "Anyway, I just told him that he was busted and to save any great declarations of love. We've been together for eight years, and