“You’ve got to keep them on their toes. The art of seduction is all about leaving them wanting more. Men are hunters—you have to make them work for it. You’ve just whetted his appetite. Trust me, our job here is done,” she says as we head south onBroadway. “Are you okay if we walk? It’s such a nice night.”
“Sure.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves as we weave through the throngs of people crowding the sidewalk. “Do you think he’ll call?”
“Without a doubt, babe. You’ve got him on a string; I could see it in his eyes.” She loops our arms at the elbow and winks at me.
I spend the next hour walking down Broadway with Aubrey, stopping for hot dogs and lemonade at a food cart, and talking about the pompous arrogance that overflowed at the Columbia cocktail party. My feet are numb by the time we reach our building at Columbus Circle, but I’m grateful for the excuse to expend some of my nervous energy.
When I swing the door of my apartment open, I’m shocked to find my husband staring back at me.
“Whatthefuck, El?”
Ten
Ellie
“Have you been sleepwalking again?” Jack’s eyes shoot from me to Aubrey and back again.
“No, it’s not even ten o’clock—Aubrey and I went out,” I defend.
His eyes narrow as if he doesn’t believe me. It’s not lost on me that he hasn’t been home at a decent hour at all this week, and then the one night I go out, here he is, accusing me of... what exactly? I’m not sure. Anger sparks to life inside me but I take a deep breath, trying to dampen it with the awareness that he’s probably just concerned for my wellbeing. Especially after everything that’s been happening the last few months.
“Well, have a good night, guys.” Aubrey sends us a quick wave and then heads off down the hallway in the direction of her apartment. I wish she wasn’t leaving. I like when she’s there as my buffer, not just for fancy cocktail parties, but with my husband, too.
“Night, Aubrey, thanks for coming with me!” I call after her.
Jack just grunts. I have half a mind to follow Aubrey down the hallway and leave this man to his own devices, but thatwouldn’t be very mature of me. And so I stand there, ready to take his verbal assault. Just like always.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going out? And what the hell are you wearing?” He looks me up and down.
“You don’t like it?” I drop my bag on the table by the door and then twirl. “It’s new.”
He grunts again. “It’s a lot. Plus the red lipstick—I hardly recognize you.” He scans me over accusingly. “Where’s your wedding ring, El?”
My heart sinks. I forgot to slip it back on my finger. “My fingers were swollen this morning—it was hurting so I took it off with some lotion.”
He huffs. “A new dress, no ring, no explanation where you were tonight—it makes a man wonder what his wife’s been up to.”
“Is that so?” I kick off the satin pumps and head for the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine. “It was nothing, trust me.”
“Trust you?” His chuckle is rueful. “I found broken glass in the sink when I got home. I thought you were hurt, I thought... I don’t know, I was worried. Where were you at?”
“The women’s group I’m a part of had a gathering they wanted me to attend.”
“Is that it?” he asks.“A gathering?”
He thinks I’m lying. Good, let him. Anyway, what am I supposed to say? I went to a cocktail party to land a date with a well-connected rapist?
“You’re not going to tell me anything else?”
“Should I?” I pour some wine, take a sip, then tip my chin up at him. “Would it make you feel better to know where I am at all times? Like a little kid?”
“Yes,” he admits. “I feel like you need someone to take care of you, especially lately. With the sleepwalking and the bruises... I mean, where are you going at night, Ellie?”
I don’t reply. Let him think what he wants to. Anyway, Kat made me vow to keep everything that happens pertaining to The Society confidential.
“Maybe I should set up security cameras,” he utters.
“Is that a threat?” I shoot back.
