CALL ME BEFORE I CALL THE COAST GUARD.
I angled the phone away automatically.
Ellie noticed.
The smile remained on her face, but something cautious entered her eyes.
Not suspicion.
Awareness.
The understanding that I was holding a door closed between us with both hands.
I hated it.
“I’m not married,” I said.
Ellie blinked.
Then she laughed.
“That was not where I thought this conversation was going.”
“I’m not hiding a husband or wife.”
“Good to know.”
“Or a secret fiancé.”
“With a boat?”
“Why would they have a boat?”
“Secret fiancés often have boats. It’s one of their main features.”
“No boat.”
“Any criminal charges?”
“None that I know of.”
“That you know of?”
“I feel like I’d remember.”
“Depends on the crime.”
“Ellie.”
She held up both hands.
“Okay. Not married. Not engaged. Not felonious. Anything else for the record?”
The truth pressed at the back of my teeth.
My name is on your playlists.
You taught Savannah Brooks how to clear a mask this morning.
