Chapter 6: Two Faces

I wore the green dress.

It was the only thing in my closet Ryland had ever picked out, and I wanted him comfortable.

On Friday night I stood in Dell's bathroom with my hair down for the first time in a week.

Dark red, to the middle of my back.

Dell sat on the edge of the tub and handed me pins I didn't need.

"You look like a movie star about to commit a crime," she said.

"That's the plan."

"Which phone are you taking?"

I put both in my clutch.

My own, and the black one with one number in it.

"Both," I said. "In case I need to call in sick to myself."

The Kinsella's restaurant is off the lobby, all dark wood and white tablecloths and a chandelier that came from a ship.

Ryland was waiting at the host stand in a navy suit.

He kissed me on the mouth in front of the hostess.

"There she is," he said. "God, you clean up."

I'd been clean the whole time. He just hadn't been looking.

Our table was in the corner under the chandelier.

Colm was already there.

Keely was sitting next to him.

She wore pearls and a cream silk blouse, and she stood up and opened her arms when she saw me.

"Surprise!"

I let her hug me.

"Romy's oldest friend," Ryland told his uncle, pulling out my chair. "College roommates. I thought she'd make Romy less nervous."

I had never shared a room with Keely in my life.

I'd met her on my first day at the Guide.

"Roommates," Keely said, smiling right at me. "Freshman year. The stories I could tell."

"Please don't," I said.

Everybody laughed except Colm.

He stood when I sat.

"Miss Cotter."

"Mr. Kinsella."

His voice was perfectly polite and perfectly cold. He shook my hand once and let go.

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