Denise was there, lounging by the indoor pool that opened into the living area. She was wearing a neon pink bikini that left nothing to the imagination. She was wet, dripping water onto the expensive rug, sipping a cocktail.
I stopped in the doorway. The exhaustion of the day, the doctor, the dinner, the lies—it all boiled over.
“When is she leaving our house?” I asked. My voice was cold, cutting through the music.
Denise looked up, feigning surprise. “Oh! You guys are back early.”
“I asked a question,” I said, turning to Brandon. “When is she leaving? It’s been months.”
Denise’s face crumbled into a pout. “Oh, wait. You don’t want me here anymore? I’m sorry, Maureen. Did I do something wrong?”
“I just don’t want her walking around like that,” I said, gesturing to her nearly naked body. “It’s inappropriate. It seems like she’s trying to seduce you, Brandon.”
“What?” Brandon laughed, a nervous, incredulous sound. “Maureen, what are you saying? She’s like a sister to me! That’s disgusting.”
“She’s not your sister,” I snapped. “And she’s not mine. She walks around half-naked, she drinks all our wine, and she disrespects me in my own home. I’m tired of it.”