I sat in my kitchen later that night thinking about what Hector and I had done. I could barely believe we'd let that happen. I had always loved him, but I had never intended to complicate his life by expressing that, especially physically.
My doorbell rang, which was odd this time of night. Maybe it was Hector. My heart thumped at the thought. On my way to answer, I stopped to check myself in the hallway mirror. I was in night clothes, but nothing scanty or revealing. My hair was put up in a comfortable ponytail. I looked a little tired, but still pretty cute. Satisfied with myself, I went to the door.
Through the peephole, I saw Elizabeth waiting. Elizabeth the fiancΓ©e. The one who'd given me the cold shoulder all this time, the one whose future husband I had kissed. He must have told her. I felt queasy. Nothing to do but open the door and accept whatever angry words she needed to throw at me. I was in the wrong, after all.
My hand hesitated only a moment before I opened the door.
"Hello, Elizabeth." I said.
"Beth," she corrected, "We need to talk."
"Ok, Beth. Come on in." I held the door open for her and she walked in.
She was surprisingly calm, and I wondered if maybe this wasn't about Hector and me at all.
"Can I get you anything?"
"Water, thanks." She left her shoes at the door, put her purse down on the hall table, and followed me into the kitchen. She leaned against the counter. I found her a glass and went to the sink.
"I know what happened between you and Hector." I almost dropped the cup. "I mean, he didn't give me all the details, but I got the gist."
I handed her the water, feeling my cheeks burning and my throat clenching. I managed to choke out, "I- I'm so sorry."
She took a drink and looked me in the eyes, "You should be sorry. What you both did was cheating. Did you even consider me at all?"
My face felt so hot, "I mean, it was kind of a heat-of-the-moment thing. I didn't consider much of anything."
She stared at me, but I couldn't read the expression on her face. It wasn't anger, at least.
Unsure of what else to say, I repeated, "I'm so sorry."
Beth sighed and looked around, "Is there somewhere we can sit comfortably? I feel like we have a lot to talk about."