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she thought she did.
    “Really?” Alex's eyes grew wide. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.” Judging by the flabbergasted look on her face, this was not the reply Alex had expected. Maddie could hardly blame her for that.
    “And I didn’t mean to shock you.” Maddie sighed. “Anyway, it’s over now. It had no future. She was never going to pick me.”

    ALEX

    Disappointment rushed over Alex. Maddie was really starting to grow on her, so much so that she was beginning to think she could overlook the fact she was a banker, but this, this was so much worse. She could never overlook cheating.
    “She was with someone?” She leaned back in her chair, wanting to put physical distance between her and Maddie.
    The thin lines bracketing Maddie’s mouth deepened as she drew her lips into a pained pout. “Still is. Married to a man. A fight I can never win.”
    “How long did it go on for?” Alex might as well extract as much information as possible. She couldn’t hide the disapproval on her face though. She never could.
    “About six months, on and off. Look, we don’t—”
    “And she never told him?” The poor sod is just like me, she thought. Betrayed by banker bitches. Alex never used the b-word lightly, not even in her thoughts.
    “You know what it’s like for Chinese women. The pressure from the family is immense. I know you’re out, but for most of them, it’s just not an option.”
    “Oh, I know exactly what it’s like. Just as I know exactly what it feels like to have someone you trust completely, someone you trust with your life, cheat on you.”
    Alex felt all the pent-up rage well up. Maybe Maddie didn’t deserve an outburst like that, but, again, as far as she could tell, she was just like Rita. She appropriated things—people—that didn’t belong to her. Alex could never see past that. She threw her napkin on the table and delved in her bag for some money.
    “I’m sorry.” She flung two hundred dollar bills on the table, which was surely too much but she didn’t want to owe Maddie anything. “This was clearly a mistake.”
    She cast one more glance at Maddie’s startled face and headed towards the stairs. She needed to be alone, away from someone like that. Tears stung her eyes as she exited the restaurant.
    She’d allowed herself to entertain the notion of the two of them… the two of them what? As if she hadn’t seen Maddie gawk at her in the steam room. As if that hadn’t been the reason Alex had invited her.
    Instead of gliding up slowly on the escalator, Alex took the stairs to her building, eager to burn off her frustration. She hoped Nat’s toy girl would have left. At least Nat was always honest about her intentions. She didn’t pretend to be something she wasn’t. She didn’t make someone believe she loved them—for six full years—and then stab them in the heart.
    As soon as Alex arrived home she sank down in the couch and cried. She cried for Rita. And for Maddie. For herself. She realised she was feeling mighty sorry for herself. But was honesty really so much to ask for?
    “Hey,” Nat came storming out of her office. “What happened?” She squatted next to Alex and placed her hands on Alex's trembling knees.
    One look was enough to convey to Nat that she shouldn’t ask too many questions. She’d know anyway. She made a living out of describing people’s behaviour and she knew what people were like. If anyone, Nat would understand.
    “They’re all just a bunch of cold-hearted bitches. Cheating and betraying their way through life. It disgusts me, Nat. I can’t help it, but I find it all so revolting.”
    Nat stood up and took a seat next to Alex. She put her arm around her shoulder and drew her towards her. “Come here.” She patted Alex's hair. “I’m sorry for pushing you, Pizza. I know you better by now.”
    “It’s hardly your fault,” Alex sobbed. “I really liked her.”
    “Gosh, I would never have guessed.” This was why Alex loved Nat