“Yes,” Meredith replied. “I’m…” “You’re Meredith Casaubon,” Wendy interrupted, extending her hand. It was petite and immaculately groomed, just like the rest of her. But Wendy’s handshake was also firm and warm, and despite her obviously expensive taste she had the air of someone friendly and open. “And I’m Wendy Wheeler,” she said, then added, “I had no idea you were a friend of Alex’s.” Meredith couldn’t help but smile at Wendy’s curiosity, which the woman was doing a very poor job of containing. “My husband and Alex were…” she paused, trying to think of the correct adjective for Teddy and Alex’s relationship. The two men had always had a great deal of respect for each other’s careers and minds, but absolute disrespect for the other’s chosen lifestyle. Rivals? she thought, before dismissing that word as too dramatic. Frenemies? “Colleagues,” she said, choosing a more polite, if less honest, truth.
