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