Juliet knew she'd truly been accepted on the island when she received her invitation to join the book club. Granted, it was Ben who had officially issued her the invitation, and he was already her friend, but she was looking forward to having a place in their little literary society.

Up until this point, she'd almost been afraid to socialize, afraid of how many among this small community still blamed her for Henrietta's death, and although Ben had repeatedly assured her that no one on the island held such a grudge against her, Juliet couldn't help but think that some of them must. She sincerely hoped this event would be more pleasurable than disastrous.

And it did have plenty of potential to be disastrous.

Unfortunately, the next meeting of the book club was to be hosted by Harper, the island's resident psychiatrist, and Juliet's weekly sessions with the woman were still distinctly unpleasant. In each weekly session, Juliet dutifully answered the questions Harper posed to her, ignored the snide, double entendre-d comments Harper slid into her responses, and got the hell out of the office as soon as her thirty minutes were up. Harper seemed to have it in for her, and Juliet had yet to figure out why. She'd asked Ben about it, but he'd only shaken his head and told her, "Harper is a very complicated woman."

Speaking of Ben, he'd been acting a little strangely as of late. Their conversations had taken on a stiff, forced quality that hadn't been there before, as though he were thinking over every word he said to her before he said it. He was anxious and fidgety. One afternoon, they'd taken a short stroll out to the tree line and back, and in the midst of their conversation, Juliet had casually linked her arm with his, and Ben had practically flinched at her touch. She'd taken her arm back quickly, wondering where fun, dinner-making, hand-kissing Ben had gone.

"You can relax around me, you know," she snapped the next evening as they shared their traditional post-work drink on her front porch. "I wish you'd tell me why you're so tense."

"It's just stress, Juliet," he'd bit back tersely. "I do run this entire island, you know. I'm sorry if I'm being rude."

Then he'd given her one of those smile: the slightly creepy ones that were meant to placate and didn't quite reach his eyes. She hated those smiles.

In fact, she might have given up on Ben all together if it weren't for those moments when he would make her laugh with his razor sharp witticisms, or make her think with his powerful insights. Ben was too interesting and too stimulating for her to ignore, so she held on, ignoring those moments of tension, and cherishing their moments of levity, and when it came to book club, Ben was so enthusiastic at the prospect of her joining that Juliet couldn't help but oblige him. He even loaned her his copy of the current book: Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind.

It was an interesting book—she'd only ever seen the movie—but what made it fascinating were the notes Ben had made in the margins. He'd taken great care to underline the choicest, most well-written bits of imagery and plot. In the margins, he cross-referenced the philosophical ponderings of Scarlett O'Hara to those of Nietzsche and Hegel. He'd made notes of certain relevant historical information, dates and names of the battles and generals of the Civil War, and she'd enjoyed reading the novel, if only so that she could enjoy his private insights on it.

She brought the book with her to Harper's house on the day of the meeting. She was coming from the lab and hadn't had a chance to change out of her work clothes. She didn't know if a pencil skirt and heels were acceptable book club attire, but it was either she wear them now, or she'd be rude and arrive late after she changed. Not wanting to give Harper any more of a reason to despise her, Juliet decided to be on time, heels be damned.

She stepped up onto Harper's porch and knocked lightly on the front door. She could hear voices coming from inside and hoped that Ben was already here so she'd have at least one friendly face to talk to, and maybe someone to sit with.

To her surprise, it wasn't Harper who answered the door, but her husband, Goodwin.

"Well hello Juliet!" he greeted her, his ruggedly handsome face breaking into a smile. "What a pleasure to see you here!" He ushered her inside, resting his hand in the small of her back as she passed through the door. She turned back to look at him, surprised by the contact, and noticed him observing her outfit.

"No need to dress up on our account," he teased.

"Yes, well, I came straight from the lab," she smiled at his easy-going nature.

"Well, you look lovely."

She blushed at the compliment as he directed her into the living room. "We're still waiting on a few people. Make yourself at home. Can I get you something to drink?"

"No I'm fine, thank you."

Juliet scanned the room as Goodwin said, "Let me know if you change your mind."

She nodded at him, and he gave her a wink. She shook her head at him in mock disapproval as he left her side to go answer another knock at the door.

She turned around to scan the room again and caught Harper glaring at her from her seat. Her eyes shifted significantly to Goodwin and back, her expression sour.

Juliet gave Harper a wan smile in greeting, and wondered how someone so unpleasant had managed to marry someone as good-natured as Goodwin.

She scanned the living room again for a place to sit. Harper had arranged her couch, a loveseat, a recliner, and what appeared to be every chair from her dining room table in a big circle around her coffee table. Ben was occupying one half of the loveseat, but the cushion next to him was open. She made a beeline for it.

"This seat taken?" she asked. He looked up at her and the corners of his eyes crinkled.

"Not at all. Please…" he gestured for her to sit down.

"Thank you for loaning me this," Juliet smiled and handed him his copy of Gone With the Wind as she took her seat.

"You're welcome," he replied. "Do you know everyone here?"

She didn't, but Ben was quick to remedy that. Going around the circle, he introduced Juliet to each person. He started with the people on the couch. Amelia was an older woman who served as a teacher to the island's younger residents. Amelia reached over and clasped Juliet's hands warmly in welcome. Next to Amelia was Adam, a pompous older man who barely looked up from his book and muttered his hello at her. Next to Adam was Bea, who gave Juliet a polite smile of welcome, then quickly resumed her quiet conversation with Harper, who was sitting by herself in the recliner.

"Harper and Goodwin, of course, you know already…"

At the mention of Goodwin, Juliet turned in her seat to see where the man had gone.

He was standing at the counter in the kitchen, fixing a tray of drinks and one of snacks. Apparently he'd been paying attention because he caught her eye instantly and gave her a jaunty wave. She smiled and gave him a small wave back.

"And of course, we're still waiting for Tom…"

Juliet smiled at that. Tom was always kind to her. She looked forward to his arrival; it would be good to see him

Suddenly a platter of fruit and cheese appeared between her and Ben. Juliet looked up to see Goodwin standing behind the loveseat, grinning down at her.

"Bite to eat?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at her enticingly.

"Please," she replied. He produced a small stack of cocktail napkins with a flourish, using his other hand to balance the platter. Juliet selected a cluster of grapes and slid them onto her napkin.

"Thank you."

"You must be famished, coming straight from work and all," Goodwin said sympathetically.

"Yes, well, Juliet often puts her duties before basic needs," Ben interjected tersely.

"Is that so?" Goodwin looked from Ben back to Juliet. "Well, no worries; I've got plenty of cheese and fruit, and a plate of crackers over there too, so eat up. And please," he leaned in as though to whisper a secret in her ear. "Let me know if you ever need me to bring you something from the cafeteria. I pass by the lab every day for lunch."

"Thank you, Goodwin," Ben interjected again, smiling, but not really smiling. "Now if you don't mind, I'd very much like a napkin."

Slightly chagrined, Goodwin offered Ben his pick of the fruit plate and then went on to serve the others. Juliet glanced at Ben out of the corner of her eye as she ate her grapes, wondering why he was so annoyed with their host.

"Oh, these are good, aren't they?" Amelia asked, interrupting her thoughts. She had also taken a cluster of grapes. Juliet nodded and held up what remained of her cluster in conformation. She turned to Ben to see what he'd taken for fruit, but all he had left on his cocktail napkin was a single orange rind.

"Are you okay?" she murmured, lowering her voice so that no one else would hear.

"Of course. I'm fine," Ben muttered back, offering her that half-smile that she hated. She was about to call him on his insincerity when a glass of red wine appeared between them.

"Here you are, Ben."

Goodwin was handing out the drinks. Juliet shot a glance over at Harper and wondered why she wasn't helping her husband with any of this…after all, she was supposed to be the hostess; she had picked the book.

Harper had paused her conversation with Bea, and to Juliet's discomfort, the two of them were watching her carefully.

"Juliet," Goodwin had her attention again. "I know you said you didn't want anything to drink, but you're welcome to rethink that decision."

Juliet smirked. A glass of wine might be really good at this moment.

"I think I will," she nodded. "I'll have whatever Ben's having, if that's okay."

"Coming right up," Goodwin replied cheerfully. He handed out the rest of the drinks, not even looking at Harper as he handed her glass to her, and went to pour Juliet a glass of wine. Juliet looked over at Ben.

"How is it?" she asked, nodding at his glass.

"Nice. You'll like it," he replied evenly.

"You would know," she smiled, trying to get him to lighten up. And it was true. Ben nodded in acknowledgement, looking pleased.

"Is it just me," she whispered, looking over her shoulder to make sure Goodwin wasn't right behind them. "Or does it seem like he and Harper are in a fight?"

"They're always in a fight," Ben whispered back, a hint of conspiracy in his voice.

"That's too bad," she sighed as Goodwin approached with her wine. She knew what it was like to be unhappily married. No wonder Harper was so annoyed all the time. Goodwin presented her wineglass with a flourish, holding her gaze for just a moment longer than was necessary, and Juliet had the sudden realization that his flirting might not be quite so friendly after all; maybe he was doing it on purpose…especially since he was doing it right in front of his wife.

She looked away from him hastily and said "thank you" into her wineglass. Goodwin was a handsome man, but as attractive as she found him, she wasn't interested in being anyone's affair. Her ex-husband had taught her just how painful adultery was, and as much as she disliked Harper, she wouldn't do that to another woman.

The front door opened and closed loudly, and Tom suddenly bounded into the room, calling out, "Sorry! Sorry I'm late everyone!"

"It's about time," Adam grumbled.

"I know, I know. I got too caught up in my work!"

Juliet smiled up at him in understanding, grateful for Tom's positive presence filling the room. He went around, greeting everyone, his eyes finally resting on her.

"Hello, Julie," he grinned, using his nickname for her. "Nice to see you're still alive."

She chuckled at that and accepted Tom's brief kiss on her cheek. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and moved on.

"Ben," he nodded in greeting, shaking Ben's free hand before looking around for a place to sit. The only seats left were on Harper's fancy dinning room chairs. Tom grimaced as he sat down on one and looked back at Juliet.

"I know I'm late, but you're the newbie…how'd you get the comfy seat?" he winked at her.

"Ben saved it for her," Amelia piped up knowingly.

"Oh?" Tom grinned. He and Amelia exchanged a look. "That was awfully nice of him."

Juliet looked over at Ben for confirmation, but he said nothing and sipped at his wine. The tips of his ears were pink.

Suddenly Harper clapped her hands authoritatively and called them together.

"So, what did everyone think of Gone With the Wind?"

Adam instantly launched into a bitter diatribe regarding the unlikability of Scarlett O'Hara, which Bea seemed to find offensive. She argued in favor of Scarlett, exclaiming that her actions were admirable and the direct result of the sexism at work in 19th century America. As they got into it, Juliet leaned over and nudged Ben with her elbow.

"Did you really save this seat for me?" she whispered.

"Yes, " he whispered back, attempting to sound nonchalant.

"Oh?" she mimicked Tom. "That was awfully nice of you." She grinned at him and patted his knee affectionately. "Thank you…I was hoping we'd be able to sit together."

"Really?" he asked sharply, studying her face for a sign that she was teasing.

"Yes, of course," she whispered back, affecting his slightly careless tone. His eyes crinkled at that. For the first time since she'd sat down, he reclined against the back of the couch. She did the same, taking her first sip of her wine, and watching the fireworks explode in front of her.

Harper had jumped in between Adam and Bea, and was playing devil's advocate to them both.

"Of course, I can't throw my full support behind a woman who spends most of her time trying to steal other people's husbands," she was saying-and Juliet couldn't help but wonder if that last comment was for her benefit.-"But then again, you have to admire the woman's cunning."

"'A woman's face is her work of fiction,'" Ben quoted sagely from the corner.

"Exactly," Adam threw in smugly. He shot Ben a satisfied look that annoyed Juliet greatly.

"That's certainly true in Scarlett's case," Amelia retorted. "But I don't think that's true of all women, Adam." Her gaze fell to Juliet meaningfully.

"Yeah, Ben," Juliet scowled. "Besides, just what did Oscar Wilde know about women?"

"Touché!" Goodwin piped in, raising his glass in Juliet's direction. Juliet felt Ben tense in annoyance beside her.

"Enough about Scarlett," Tom cut in. "One thing I both loved and hated about this book was how easy it was for me to embrace the racist ideals of the South without even realizing it…"

Juliet listened quietly as the debate went on, sipping slowly on her wine. She was about halfway through it when Goodwin stood up and refilled her glass with the recently opened bottle he'd brought over to the coffee table. He proceeded to refill everyone else's glass as well, and normally Juliet didn't mind having a second glass, but she hadn't exactly eaten much that day, and the prospect of finishing another whole glass was a little daunting.

"You might have to carry me out of here," she muttered to the man beside her. Ben smirked. She took another sip and winced. The bottle had been open for too long, and the resulting oxidation gave the wine a slightly sour and metallic aftertaste.

"Something wrong?" Ben asked as Tom and Adam hotly contested the role of Carpetbaggers in the Reconstruction.

"You don't taste that?" she whispered. "It's been breathing for a bit too long."

Ben took a sip from his glass and nodded in agreement.

"What a shame," he sighed.

"This is why I always make you bring the wine," she grumbled, taking another sip before setting her glass on the coffee table. "Like that cabernet we had after work last Thursday…now that was a wine that could breathe…"

"But I was rooting for the Klan!" Harper was yelling. "I wanted them to "clean out" those woods!"

"That's the most Machiavellian thing I've ever heard!" Adam shouted back. "It's beyond, Machiavelli! It's…Hegelian!" He said this with a hopeful eye on Ben. Juliet snorted. Name-dropping a philosopher that Ben liked: it was such a sycophantic gesture, such a sad attempt to suck up. She had to jump in.

"How is that exactly, Adam? The entire concept of The Klan completely defies the logic of Hegel's Master/Slave Dialectic! How can that scene possibly be Hegelian when the "slaves" are still being terrorized by their former masters? At what point there do the slaves become the master?"

Adam was speechless for a moment. Ben raised his wineglass in admiration.

"Well put, Juliet." He took a sip.

Adam glared at her furiously.

"You know," Amelia began, breaking the silence. "We haven't even had a chance to talk about Rhett Butler. You hated Scarlett so much, Adam; what about her male counterpart?"

And they were off again. Ben nudged Juliet with his elbow.

"I see you read my annotations," he smirked.

"Yes, they were the best part," she assured him sincerely. Ben's eyebrows jumped in surprise.

"Thank you," he said, looking truly flattered.

"Thank you for loaning me your copy."

"The thing I love about Rhett," Harper sighed longingly, which caught Juliet's attention immediately because Harper didn't seem like someone who was capable of sighing longingly. "is how much he cares. I love how well he understands her, even when she doesn't understand herself."

Goodwin rolled his eyes and snorted at his wife derisively.

"If he understands her so well, how come he leaves her just when she realizes that she really does love him back?" he asked snidely.

"Maybe it's because, in that moment, she's too good to be true," Harper retorted. "He's waited for her to come around for so long, and in the meantime, they've hurt each other so badly, he can't really accept that she actually does love him!"

Juliet and Ben shared an uneasy glance. The undercurrents of this conversation were growing uncomfortable.

"Or maybe," Goodwin muttered. "He's really just sick of her crap."

Even Tom winced at that one, and the meeting went downhill from there. Harper grew sullen and silent. Goodwin pretended nothing was amiss and busied himself playing host and refilling the drinks and snack trays. Bea and Adam picked up where Harper and Goodwin's disagreement had left off, and neither of them were particularly pleasant to each other in the course of their debate. Amelia and Tom attempted to soften the discussion by trying to throw some positive commentary into the mix, but they were largely unsuccessful at shifting the mood.

Juliet turned to Ben and muttered under her breath.

"Was this was what you had in mind when you invited me to join the Book Club?"

"Not exactly," he replied, his lips thinned in displeasure.

"Any chance we can make a discreet getaway?"

He nodded affirmatively, his eyes on the scene before them. Bea was delivering a particularly cutting remark to Adam, all pretense of discussing the novel aside. Adam was about to say something cruel in response; Juliet could see it in his expression, When Ben suddenly stood up.

"That's enough," he said curtly, with a calm that was almost menacing. Everyone froze. Juliet was suddenly reminded that Ben was the leader here; everyone in this room answered to him…including her.

There was a moment of silence as Ben allowed everyone in the room to feel the weight of his displeasure. Juliet glanced around discreetly at the expressions on people's faces. She caught flashes of guilt and remorse, and a hint of shock for good measure. No one looked at each other. Adam especially had the good sense to look ashamed of himself; Tom simply stared at the floor.

Ben looked down at her and held out his hand. She took it without hesitation and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Still holding her hand, Ben turned to face Harper and Goodwin.

"Thank you both for hosting this event. Unfortunately, Juliet and I have to leave now," his tone was perfectly normal and polite…as though the events of the last minute hadn't happened at all. "Harper, I enjoyed your book selection—it's one of my favorites."

"Um, thank you Ben," Harper replied, rising to her feet as though she were coming out of a coma. "Thank you both for coming." Ben gave her a pleasant nod.

"Have a good afternoon everyone," he said, addressing the rest of the room. The others murmured similar sentiments back to him, but Ben was already moving towards the front door with Juliet in tow. She turned back and gave a small wave, mouthing "goodbye." Tom and Amelia each gave her a small wave in return.

Ben opened the front door and let go of her hand to wave her through first. She stepped out onto the porch, and he followed, closing the door behind them.

There was a moment of silence as Ben stared out over the village and Juliet stared at Ben, trying to read his inscrutable expression.

"So," she said after a moment. "About that discreet getaway…"

"I'm sorry about that, Juliet," Ben sighed. "but I have little patience for such childish behavior."

He started down the porch steps and she followed a step behind him. Harper's driveway was covered with some kind of white gravel. Juliet had teetered over it easily enough on her heels when she'd come in, but walking out and trying to keep up with Ben at the same time was a bit more challenging. Without a word, Ben backed up a step and offered her his arm, which she grabbed gratefully.

"I know you're used to a corporate dress code in your workplace," he teased as he led her down the driveway. "But you might consider an alternative style of footwear out here."

"Noted," Juliet replied tersely.

They made it to the pavement without incident.

"Thanks," she said, releasing her death grip on Ben's arm and linking elbows with him instead. He didn't protest the contact, and they strolled along together, each one pondering their own thoughts.

"I really wish this hadn't been your introduction to the book group," Ben said after a moment of quiet. "They usually make a better first impression."

"That's okay," Juliet sighed. "I had fun until Harper and Goodwin started to fight."

"Do you think you'll come back?"

"Sure. Tom and Amelia were nice. Bea seems like she'd be fun to debate with…" She trailed off for a moment before adding slyly, "Adam is a bit of a suck-up, though."

Ben chuckled and nodded.

"It's true," he sighed ruefully. He reached down and caught her hand, giving it a small squeeze. "Come on," he said, his face breaking into a real smile. 'I'll walk you home."

If you're enjoying this story, please don't hesitate to leave me a review! -Coffee