Clara's guest ro

the constant ache in her chest. The room was small and cozy, with floral wallpaper and a quilt that smelled like lavender, but

d day, she slammed her Mac

r suitcase, and took a car b

familiar, expensive scent of Jo Malone f

ts and a fitted crewneck, reviewing a financial report on his iPad

expression shifted-a flash of genuine annoyance

table and walked toward her, reac

nswer a single text. Where the hell have you been for three days, Arianna? The com

rceptible note of probing. He was

s outstretched hand. She pushed the suit

smoothly. "Helped her with the baby

r. He leaned in, aimi

uck a piece of hair behind her e

caught

rubbed the side of his nose-a nervous hab

ward the open kitchen. The marble countertops gleamed un

," sh

n closet. Rows of designer clothes lined the walls, orga

acket, draped carelessly over the back of the velvet chair. The navy wool

out. She slipped her fingers

shed against a sma

It was a glass vial

lastic cap off and br

ar and desperation. It was the exact opposite of the cold, woody scents s

iny glass vial. Her knuckles turned whit

ped the vial back into the pocke

ding out a crystal glass of red win

ooked him right in the eyes.

t and conversational. "What's with the

. The wine in his own glass slos

es darted up and to the left. The unive

st the fragrance counters at Saks yesterday. One of the sales girls p

his posture easy. A masterful performance. Her stomach churned vi

eyelashes, hiding the abs

d softly. "But it's a

ief. He took a large gulp of his wine

ights of the city traffic below, the headlights and taillights streaming in opposite directi

see his reflection in the glass. He reac

wine glass on the sill. "I'm exhaus

looking back. Her footst

ly against the city lights. He felt a sudden, sharp loss of control, but h