“What an asshole!” Pippa exclaimed indignantly as they sat over a table at Starbucks for coffee, with Ash unable to keep her melancholy at bay, tears pouring out of her like a fountain. It was already weekend, and Oden hadn’t called her back yet. Even after Devon had retracted the supposed affair, her husband had not deemed it necessary to talk to her at least once. If she wanted to be more assertive, then she should start with her husband – she would thrive to make him forgive her. It would take time to rebuild their relationship, but first she needed to get Krystal out of her misery. After the catalytic encounter with Devon, she had left his apartment and gone straight to Pippa for help. Sam had joined them the next day to be updated on the latest happenings while Krystal was still no

