19

I hung up on her in reply.

Without pause, I headed straight to the coat cupboard and pulled

out the cashmere Ted Baker hanging inside. I put it on, then turned

back to my guest. She was just slipping an arm through her own

coat. I rushed to help her, brushing her long caramel hair off her

shoulder before moving to button her up.

“I’m sorry,” I said, wishing I had time for other words, sweeter

words. She deserved better than this.

She shook her head adamantly. “No, you have to go. I get it.” She

brought her hand up to stroke her knuckles against my cheek.

I caught her hand as she dropped it and brought it to my mouth to

kiss her palm. “I’m still sorry. There’s so much more…” I closed my

eyes, forcing away the thoughts of all the more I’d meant to address

with her this night. When I opened them again, I couldn’t look directly

at her. “I’ll walk down with you.”

We were silent in the lift. I was too worried, too frantic, too furious

at Ellen to make conversation. Whether Audrey was respec