Chapter 11: Dinner for Two

Ethan picked the French place on Michigan Avenue where he'd proposed, and he had reserved the corner booth.

I wore the green dress again, with my phone in my clutch and the recording already running.

Samson was parked across the street with Macy, in her van, with a thermos and a pair of earbuds.

I had made them promise to stay in the van.

Ethan stood up when I came in, and pulled my chair out, and I let him.

"You look beautiful," he said.

"Thank you."

"I ordered the sparkling cider. I know you're off wine."

I looked at the bottle in the ice bucket.

"I've been off wine since when?"

"Since you started feeling sick." He smiled, too quickly.

"I'm not stupid, Han. I notice things."

"You've been gray in the mornings for a month."

"I thought you hadn't noticed."

"I didn't want to push."

It was a good answer.

It was a little too good, and I let it sit on the table between us.

The waiter brought bread.

Ethan didn't touch it.

He put both hands around his water glass and looked at me with wet, honest eyes.

"I told Quinn on Monday night," he said. "It's over."

"She's gone to her mother's, and I told her I couldn't have her in my life anymore."

"After you told a waiting room I was confused."

"I panicked." His voice dropped. "I'd just seen you with that doctor."