*

Across town, Audra lies on a chaise lounge. Beside her, Isobel and Elliot lie, leaning into one another as they whisper lecherous rumors under their breath.

With her legs wound before her, Audra turns, watching the women laugh. They discuss Dan and Elliot's earlier argument, speaking softly to ensure they exclude Audra. Her opinion means nothing to them. Not since she and Archie split up. Ever since then, Isobel has given Audra the stink eye.

She sighs, lowering her book and looking across the pool deck. Their dismissal does not faze her. Funnily enough, Audra finds her thoughts drifting to Peter. His freckles, his smile, the long scar across his lower abdomen. She wonders how he got it, if he's okay. Her eyes glaze over in a lavender haze.

Audra recalls a memory from earlier that same day.

That morning, she emerged from the shower and poked her nose into Peter's bedroom to see if he was still asleep. He was. Peter looked peaceful, and she smiled.

It was then Audra realized he and James were nothing alike. James wore his heart on his sleeve. He was an open book, easy to read, but Peter? Peter was a secret. An enigma. He kept everything inside. There was pain in his eyes. Audra could see it. She could see that he was tired. Tired of what? She wasn't sure, but she worried that his heart was wounded and that when Peter was alone, he hardly had the strength to stand. Audra saw something of herself in him, a reflection. It was his smile that enamored her, but it was his words that kept her heart beating.

Audra remembers pausing as she placed a note on Peter's bathroom mirror. She didn't want to be wanted. She thought she did, but she didn't. She wanted him to follow her. She wanted to show him that there was something on the other side of wanting. Something Audra had only just begun to see herself as she watched her reflection in his ever-clear eyes. Compassion. She wanted to—

Elliot laughs loudly, pulling Audra from her trance. She blinks, turning towards the pair. They remain in the throes of gossip, snickering about the lives of friends and strangers alike.

Audra exhales, standing. She sets her book aside and says, "I'm going to get something to drink."

Elliot twists, eyebrows arched, and Isobel huffs, "Seriously? Can't you wait? The boys will be back any minute, and then we'll have lunch."

Audra points over her shoulder, "The bar is just there. It's not like I'm–"

Isobel waves, dismissing Audra, "Whatever. I don't care."

Smothering the rage in the pit of her stomach, Audra feigns a smile. She turns on her heels, and starts towards the bar.