Cover of Dear Debbie

Dear Debbie

by Freida McFadden


Genre
Thriller, Suspense, Fiction
Year
2026
Pages
320
Contents

Chapter 38

Overview

Harley corners Cooper at the gym and fears he is about to end their affair, but Cooper instead agrees to come to Harley's home for dinner while lying to Debbie. Cindy's disapproval exposes a new risk: someone else may reveal the affair before Harley can manage it.

The chapter shifts Harley from passive longing to active planning, as Harley decides she must personally tell Debbie about Cooper's cheating in a way Harley can control.

Summary

After finishing Zumba, Harley sees Cooper working out at the gym and is relieved he came in. Cooper does not acknowledge Harley at first, so Harley approaches him despite his earlier warnings about keeping their affair hidden at the gym.

Cooper reacts anxiously and tells Harley they cannot talk there because it is too dangerous. Harley interprets Cooper's fear as either terror of Debbie or lingering loyalty to his wife, but Harley flirts with Cooper and admits she has been missing him.

Harley expects Cooper to end things, but instead Cooper briefly squeezes Harley's hand and says they must be careful. Cooper promises to see Harley later, and after rejecting that night, Cooper agrees to come to Harley's home for dinner the next evening, planning to lie to Debbie by saying he is staying late at the office.

Harley goes to the front desk elated, but Cindy confronts Harley while handing over Harley's schedule. Cindy bluntly reminds Harley that Cooper is married and questions why Harley is involved with him. Harley dismisses Cindy's concern as none of Cindy's business.

After the exchange, Harley realizes Cindy could tell Debbie about the affair. Although Harley wants Debbie to learn the truth, Harley wants to control how it happens, so Harley decides she must be the one to tell Debbie that Cooper is cheating.

Who Appears

  • Harley
    Gym employee and Cooper’s lover; decides to control how Debbie learns of the affair.
  • Cooper
    Debbie’s husband; anxious about being caught but agrees to dinner with Harley.
  • Cindy
    Gym coworker who confronts Harley about pursuing a married man.
  • Debbie
    Cooper’s wife; absent but central to Harley’s plan to reveal the affair.
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