Just for One Night

Lunch with her family on Wednesdays was always one of the highlights of the week for Iris Collins. It was a tradition that began when she and Thea, her twin sister, returned home from boarding school, and that had lasted into adulthood. They always dined at the club in her father's office building in Boston's financial district. Hal Collins was the owner of Collins Combined, a firm specializing in long-term investments. Iris's phone rang just as she entered the building. It was her boyfriend. She put it back in the pocket of her fitted dress and hugged her sister. "I knew you'd be here early. I came quickly too so we could talk before Mom and Dad arrived," Thea said. "How was your trip with Graham?" "Fine," Iris replied. –Just good? Less than well, actually. During their vacation in Bermuda, Graham had pressured her to be more daring in bed, and it had ended badly, with him drinking at the bar and her sitting on the balcony listening to the waves. She was trying not to break up before Adler's wedding, her college roommate, was in ten days. She was a bridesmaid. The phone vibrated. Another message from Graham. –Speaking of the devil… He took out his cell phone and read: Look, things aren't working out between us, so we're done. I hope you understand. "Really?" Thea exclaimed, reading over his shoulder. "He breaks up with you with a text message?" I wish it would surprise him, but what he felt was relief. He quickly answered. Iris: Of course I understand. Graham: I thought so. "Understand what?" Thea asked. "Nothing," he replied. He wasn't going to talk about sex in the lobby of his father's building. Thea took the phone from his hand and typed: Iris: Of course. I expect more from life than you can offer me. –Thea, give me back my phone! Graham: Good. I want someone who isn't basic, gray, and boring. Fuck you, bitch. Thea tried to take it off again, but Iris pushed it away and just sent the thumbs up emoji. "Why did you do that?" he protested. "I don't feel like explaining anything." "What do you have to explain?" asked her mother, who had come up behind them and was hugging them. Corinne Colins, known as Coco to her friends, a person who was always outgoing, was dressed in Ralph Lauren. –From Graham. The guy I was dating. –He broke up with her with a message, the very rude guy. –Of course. But not everyone pays attention to good manners these days. "True," Iris replied. "And Dad?" "He's going to be late. I told him that if he takes too long, I'll take you both shopping." The three of them burst out laughing, but as Iris followed her mother and sister to the restaurant, she was furious. How dare she say such a rude thing to her? Boring, okay, but boring? To her, Iris Collins, TV lifestyle guru! Her style was on trend, and she was followed on Instagram by the entire jet set . She'd known he was a jerk when he'd suggested the threesome, but this was the last straw.