his tone leaving no room for questions. "A surprise for my wife.
restaurant with a months-long waiting list. She arranged for a bespoke bouquet of rare white peonies to be delivered. She mapped
licker of genuine approva
now and arrange the time." He waved a d
in her purse, began to vibrate. She glanced at the screen. An unknown num
d been disconnected. He frowned, a knot of irritation tig
returned to
oyance, she answered, pressing the phone to her ear without
s throat. It was a voice she hadn't hear
ttempting a tone of warmth t
eath hitched. Hank. Her husband. After a y
apartment flew open. Her two roommates, Maya and Te
ice from behind in a celebratory hug. "We heard abo
lent office, Nolan
. A man's voice. Ca
n a second," she hissed into the phone, then covered
o late. The d
planned, the evening orchestrated by the woman in the next room, now felt like a sick joke. He had b
harp and bitter as bil
to come back to the l
at? He calls after a year, says his name, and then hangs up? Maybe it was a prank. Shaking her head, sh
desk, picked up the perfect itinerary Clarice had created, and
mpled paper into
liation, was gone. It was replaced
n his mind, cold
vo
Clarice laughed with her friends, a cocktail in he
w a conscience," Maya joked, flagging
not holding my breath," she said with a self-deprecating smile. She had a
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