Secret:

Nicole was huddled in the corner, straightening her purple dress while Eric fiddled with his belt buckle. Both were beyond embarrassed at being unexpectedly caught sans clothing and making love, when Jada walked in. Eric wasn't going to let Jada leave without attempting to explain. He fumbled for the right words but couldn't come up with them.

"Eric, there's nothing to explain," Jada insisted, though the expression on her face indicated otherwise. Her stomach was in knots. "You and I weren't exclusive. We were just having some fun together." She worked hard to speak without betraying the sadness she felt. She didn't believe she had a right to feel as hurt as she did. After all, she'd only known Eric for a couple months, and had been sleeping with him for even less time. It was true that she and Eric had never made any promises to each other. She really shouldn't expect any contrition on his part. Even though in her head she knew she shouldn't be hurting at all, she was.

Nicole sniffled as she hurried over to them. She started to stretch out a pleading hand to Jada, but Jada quickly sidestepped her grasp. A tear dripped down Nicole's alabaster cheek. "Jada, you have to believe me when I say, we didn't mean for this to happen."

"Nicole's right," Eric said. Jada should have known he'd take up for her. "It's all so complicated. I'm sorry."

"Aren't these sorts of things always complicated," Jada mused. Misery showed in the depth of Eric's eyes, and Jada willed herself not to be affected by his emotional state. Who knew if he really was sorry or if he was saying the words in an attempt to smooth over the situation?

"Old feelings took over and we couldn't - " he paused for a moment - "well, in that moment, we just couldn't deny how we felt about each other. But we never set out to cause anyone pain."

"Seriously? You don't think Rafe will be hurt by this?" Jada knew if she was hurting and humiliated, Rafe would feel a thousand times worse. He'd known Nicole for far longer than she'd known Eric. He was married to Nicole. "To hear Rafe tell it, Nicole, you've been best friends for years. He doesn't deserve this."

Eric looked shaken by Jada's words. The color left Nicole's face. "Are you - are you going to tell him about this?" Nicole sputtered. "You - you can't! You can't tell Rafe anything. Just like Eric said, we didn't set out to hurt anyone, least of all my husband."

Jada crossed her arms. It gave her something to do with her hands, which felt untypically shaky, as did the rest of her. "You didn't think this would hurt him? I mean, I am just guessing here, but I think he'll be very put out, and very, very hurt."

She didn't mean to sound so hostile, but she was feeling edgy and caged in at that moment. She desperately wanted out of there and away from this horribly awkward situation.

"Of course, he'll be put out. He'll be terribly hurt. That's why he can never find out. Not unless -'' she looked at Eric for reassurance - "Eric and I decide to tell him ourselves. But that is our decision to make, Jada."

"Rafe is my boss, and I respect him. You might have thought about his feelings, too." Jada said. "I don't know how I'm supposed to just pretend this never happened."

"Because it's not your secret to tell." Nicole dragged her knuckles down her wet face. "Promise you won't say a word."

Jada's chest ached. This felt wrong. How was she supposed to go to work every day and look into Rafe's trusting face and lie to him? And that's what she'd be doing. Keeping the truth from him was the same as a lie, in her book. It was a lie of omission, and if there was one thing Jada never could stand, it was liars.

When Jada didn't immediately answer her, Nicole looked to Eric for help. "Eric, tell her!" Nicole said. "Please tell her she can't talk to Rafe about what happened here today!"

Eric shifted from foot to foot, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Jada," he started, "I think Nicole is right."

"I am right. Not telling Rafe is for his own good," Nicole cried. "Besides, Eric, this is our secret. Yours and mine. So, it will be our decision whether we want Rafe to know or not. Not Jada's."

TO BE CONTINUED. Feedback and follows/favorites are appreciated. Thank you!