Chapter 3

Vanessa hugs my husband before she says hello to me.

"Lauren. Finally."

She takes my hands.

Her nails are pale pink. Her smile is warm.

"I've heard so much about you."

"I'm sure."

She laughs as though I've made a joke.

"Come in. We're all dying to meet you."

There are three men in the room.

One sits with his jacket open and his legs spread. Another is holding a phone. The third looks me up and down before glancing at Blake.

Blake gives him a small nod.

"This is Grant," Vanessa says. "He works in finance. Derek owns an agency. And Paul's in tech."

No last names.

No company names.

Grant raises his glass.

"So this is the wife."

Blake smiles.

"In the flesh."

Paul laughs.

I keep my eyes on Vanessa.

She leads me to the couch.

"Sit here. Let me get you something."

"Water's fine."

"Oh, come on. We're celebrating."

She picks up a champagne flute from the side table.

The others already have drinks.

Mine has been waiting.

"I brought this back from France," she says. "You have to try it."

"No, thank you."

Her hand stays out.

Blake takes the flute from her and holds it toward me.

"One glass, Lauren."

"I don't want it."

"It's champagne."

"I can see that."

He lowers his voice.

"Don't start."

Vanessa gives a soft laugh.

"It's fine. We can find you something else."

Blake sets the flute directly in front of me.

Close enough that I have to move it to put my bag down.

I keep my bag in my lap.

Derek points at my dress.

"Black suits you."

"Thank you."

"Better than the white shirt."

My fingers tighten around the strap.

"What white shirt?"

For a moment, nobody speaks.

Then Blake laughs.

"Probably something on your website."

My website has one photograph of me.

I'm wearing a navy suit.

Derek takes a drink.

"Must be."

Vanessa sits on Blake's other side.

"So. Tell us about your company."

I give her the short version.

She nods in the right places.

Grant watches my legs.

Paul checks his phone, then looks at me, then checks it again.

"Any big clients?" Vanessa asks.

"A few."

"Blake says things have been difficult lately."

I turn to him.

He shrugs.

"I told you. She wants to help."

"How thoughtful."

Vanessa touches my wrist.

"We all know how hard it is for women in business."

Behind her, Paul smiles at his screen.

I wonder if I'm on it.

The thought makes the room feel smaller.

I stand.

"I'm going to get some water."

Blake catches my wrist.

"We have drinks."

"I asked for water."

"Sit down. I'll get it."

His fingers stay around my wrist until I sit.

Then he lets go.

He doesn't get up.

Vanessa lifts her flute.

"To new beginnings."

The men raise theirs.

Blake picks up the glass in front of me.

He puts it in my hand.

"Don't embarrass me."

I set it down.

"I said no."

His face changes.

Not much.

Enough.

Vanessa watches him.

Grant sets his glass on the table.

"Your wife always this uptight?"

Blake laughs.

"She runs a company. She thinks she runs everything."

"I'm sitting right here."

"I know where you're sitting, Lauren."

He turns to Vanessa.

"Sorry about this."

She pats his arm.

"It's okay."

I reach into my bag and send Nathan a message.

Stay close.

Blake notices the movement.

"Who are you texting?"

"My office."

"You're always working."

I put the phone away.

Derek leans forward.

"Let's do something more interesting."

Vanessa smiles.

"What did you have in mind?"

"A game."

Paul puts his phone facedown.

"What kind?"

"Dares. Nothing complicated."

"I'm not interested," I say.

"Relax," Blake tells me. "You haven't heard the rules."

Grant looks at Vanessa.

She gives the smallest shrug.

Then he reaches into his jacket and takes out a folded stack of bills.

He drops it on the table.

"Five hundred."

I look at the money.

Then at him.

"For what?"

He gestures toward the floor beside his chair.

"Start by taking off your shoes."

Blake looks at the cash.

He doesn't look at me.

"Come on, Lauren," he says. "Don't make this awkward."