Chapter 3

I didn't say anything. I just looked at Vivian, cold, waiting for an explanation.

My staring wore her down.

"I went to pick Miles up. That's why I'm late.

"Sorry."

"Mm," I said, with nothing behind it, and picked up the menu.

Vivian watched me, a little startled. She'd expected a scene, and instead the whole thing had slid right past.

I raised a hand for the server.

"The prix fixe, please. Swap the wine for warm water."

Across the table, Miles leaned in and pointed at the menu, wheedling.

"Oh, the date-night platter looks so good. Too bad Aaron can't do seafood, so we can't. But Vivian and I both love it. What if we got one anyway?

"Aaron, would that be okay?"

Vivian's brows pulled together.

We'd already had a fight over seafood on the reception menu, and now this — a date-night platter. However close she was with Miles, even she knew it wasn't appropriate.

"Miles, maybe let's not order the—"

"Sure."

I cut her off without looking up.

Vivian's eyes on me went strange. In the end, she still didn't let him order it.

She kept watching me out of the corner of her eye, waiting for the reaction.

Sorry to disappoint. There wasn't one.

I wasn't putting on a show. I just didn't care anymore.

The whole meal, Vivian started to say something to me two or three times, and every time Miles chattered right over her.

I ate quietly and listened to them talk about movies, about work, about whatever funny thing had happened that week. That easy warmth between them was exactly what she and I used to have, seven years ago.

It wasn't until we were leaving that Vivian finally remembered to ask.

"Aaron, this important thing you wanted to tell me. What is it?"

I wiped my mouth and picked up my bag.

"It's between the two of us. It should be said with just the two of us.

"Come on. You should get back and take your lunch break."

Vivian knew she had no ground to stand on, so she let it go, but she gave me an awkward look.

"So... Miles's office is way out of the way, and it's hard to get a car around here. I need to drop him first, so..."

I heard what she was actually saying, and held up my phone for her.

"I've already got a ride. It was easy.

"Go ahead and take him."

Vivian looked guilty then. She came over and reached for my hand, ready to smooth it over with something sweet.

I moved out of reach without making anything of it.

"My car's here."

I turned toward the door.

She followed a couple of steps, swearing up and down. "Aaron, don't worry. I'm leaving work early today, I promise. I'll come home and spend time with you."

I nodded. That was the last time I chose to believe Vivian.

Back at the apartment, I finished handling everything that needed handling. The suitcases stood squared away in the entryway.

Impossible to miss. Easy to grab on the way out.

At five o'clock, the door opened.

It was Vivian.

I wasn't sure what to make of it.

She never got off before five-thirty. This was leaving early.

Had she actually come home early for me?