That evening, Dawson called.
His voice sounded exhausted.
“Megan told me about the hotel.”
I closed my eyes.
“I’m sorry, Dawson.”
“Don’t apologize. You didn’t do this.”
He paused.
“She says she’s in love with Ryan.”
I looked toward the hospital window.
“Did she tell you how long it’s been happening?”
“She says four months.”
Four months.
I repeated the words silently.
Four months of lies.
Four months of pretending to be my friend.
Four months of Ryan kissing me goodbye before leaving to see another woman.
Dawson continued.
“She also admitted that she used your name to explain at least three trips. She said she was afraid I’d become suspicious if she kept traveling alone.”
I felt nauseated.
“She used my name because she knew you’d trust me.”
“I know.”
Neither of us spoke for a while.
Then Dawson asked, “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet. But I’m not going to pretend this never happened.”
