Minus the dress.
Minus everything.
Sigh.
No, I'll come clean, because it didn't mean anything, and it won't happen again.
Honestly, I don't really think I wanted to kiss him. I think I thought I wanted to, but I didn't really want it, you know what I mean?
I'll even suggest a double date just to prove it to myself. Something that doesn't taste like blood, salt, and betrayal, and involves our partners.
Maybe chocolate fondue since Ben loves chocolate.
It can't end like this.
He can't remember me as the girl who almost killed him and gave him the wrong signal.
Turning the key in the door, I'm deep in crafting the right pitch, line by line.
I almost feel good, hopeful, but the second I walk in everything dies.
Richard's in the kitchen, staring at me like I'm literally wearing someone else's skin. Like he can't recognize what walked in.
"What the hell are you wearing?" he snarls.
10
Two hours ago, I was a piece of candy; now I'm something rotten.
My fingers pull at my skirt like it's indecent, even when it isn't. Just shorter than anything I've worn since marrying Richard.
"What happened to your hair?" He points at the knots on my head—and I can't tell him. Not now.
He doesn't wait for my answer and jabs at his phone screen in his hand. "I messaged you.Three times.No answer."
Shit. I must have accidentally turned off my sounds.
"You always reply right away." His stare presses me flat. "Where were you?"
I peel off my heels and hide them behind my feet so he can't see them, since I'm about to lie like my life depends on it. "I went to see Lucy. We went to the beach."
"The beach?" He frowns and points at the shoes anyway. "In those?"
"Yeah," I say through the lump in my throat.
"You're seriously telling me you went to the beach in stilettos?"
"Yes. Stupid idea, I know."
His eyes narrow even more, almost to slits, and he starts enunciating each word. "Why did you take them if you knew you were going to the beach?"
"I didn't know we were going to the beach," I snap and might as well faint. "We changed the plan last minute."
He studies me, then points at my hair again. "Did you go in the water?"
I pretend to laugh. "Yeah. Lu dared me—"
His jaw ticks. "She's always bad news—"
