The night before Clifford Delgado and I were supposed to get our marriage license, our friends threw a party, and someone suggested a room-key game.
"Whoever's key you draw, that's who you spend the night with."
I frowned before I could stop myself.
But Clifford dipped his head and kissed the tip of my ear, smiling like he was sure of himself.
"What are you worried about? I already had them switch it."
"The one I draw is going to be your key."
So I nodded and went along with it.
Then, a second later, Clifford flipped over the key card in his hand.
Printed right there was the name of my best friend, Peggy Sullivan.
The room erupted.
Someone whistled. Someone else egged it on.
"You lose, you take it like a good sport. Surely his wife can play along?"
Peggy looked at me, her face flushed, and gently caught my hand.
"Tammy, don't read into it."
"I'm just keeping an eye on Clifford for you tonight."
"I'm your best friend. You still don't trust me?"
Clifford frowned at me too.
"It's just a game. Don't kill everyone's mood."
I caught the scent of the same woody cologne on both of them, one I couldn't say when they'd started sharing, and suddenly I laughed.
"Fine."
"Then I'll draw one too."
I picked up the last key card off the table without looking.
When I turned it over, the whole room went quiet.
Rick James.
Clifford's archrival.
I held the card and curved my lips at Clifford.
"It's just a game."
"You can play along, can't you?"
...
The smile faded from Clifford's face, bit by bit.
He reached out to take the card from my hand.
"Tamara Winfield, don't be difficult."
I pulled my hand out of reach and smiled.
"Wasn't it just a game?"
Around us, people jumped in to smooth it over.
"This is different, though."
"Peggy's your best friend. How could she hurt you?"
Someone clicked their tongue.
"Right, your best friend watches your man for you and you still can't relax?"
"You're awfully possessive, aren't you?"
Peggy stood beside Clifford, her eyes already rimmed red.
"Tammy, maybe just let it go."
"I don't want to be the reason things get messed up between you and Clifford tomorrow at the clerk's office."
As she spoke, she held the card out a little.
But her movements were slow, like she couldn't bear to part with it.
Clifford frowned and blocked her hand.
Then he looked at me, his tone cold.
"Peggy and I have always been perfectly innocent."
"If I go out of my way to avoid her tonight, it'll only look like there's actually something to hide."
"Since I've got a clear conscience, there's all the more reason not to dodge it."
Peggy bit her lip lightly, her voice soft, like she was thinking of me.
"Tammy, I know it bothers you."
"But the more Clifford and I try to keep our distance, the more people will imagine things."
"If we spend one night together and nothing happens, that actually proves it to you."
She finished and lowered her head again.
"I'm your best friend."
"Are you telling me you don't even trust me?"
I looked at the card clutched in her hand and it suddenly struck me as absurd.
Someone beside her spoke up, all sympathy:
"Peggy, you're just too good-natured."
"You're only watching Clifford for his wife, and they're making it sound like you did something wrong."
"His wife, Peggy's already backing down this much. What more do you want?"
Clifford frowned, as if he didn't like the crowd stirring things up.
But he didn't deny any of it.
He only said quietly to Peggy: "Don't cry. No one's blaming you."
Peggy immediately murmured:
"Don't talk about Tammy like that."
"It wasn't easy for her to get to marry Clifford."
"After all, the Winfields aren't what they used to be. It's only natural she feels insecure."
For a moment, the room fell silent.
