Fifteen Days to Divorce novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: For the Cameras

The blue dress was already hanging on the bedroom door when Portia came out of the shower.

She had not bought it.

The tag inside said her size, and it fit her.

She did not say who she thought had sewn it.

Malachi stood in the hall in a black suit, and he dropped his keys when she came out.

He picked them up very slowly.

"Don't," Portia said.

"I didn't say anything."

"You dropped your keys at me."

The corner of his mouth moved again.

The restaurant had a private room at the back with a long white table, eight chairs and a window onto the street.

A photographer from the studio stood outside it with a camera on a strap.

The studio chief sat at the head, an old man with white eyebrows and a glass of red wine.

Beside him sat his wife and two of his executives.

Reese was already there, in green silk, with Margo at her elbow in a cream jacket.

"There they are," Margo said. "The couple of the hour."

Everyone stood and sat and shook hands.

The first course came.

Reese lifted her glass.

"I'd like to propose a toast," she said. "To Harbor Light. And to new beginnings for everyone at this table."

She looked at Malachi when she said it.

Portia drank her water.

Margo waited until the plates were cleared.

Then she set down her gold pen on the cloth and folded her hands.

"I think we should be honest," she said. "Everyone here cares about these two."

The old man nodded.

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