Chapter 13: Forty Feet

Our lawyer had the interview moved to the next morning.

By noon Desmond and I were in our own kitchen with nothing left to do but talk.

He had not touched his coffee.

I stood at the counter with my back to the window, because I wanted the light on his face.

"Ask me," he said. "Anything. I won't lie."

"That was term two."

"It's also just true."

I believed him, which was new.

"The Kestrel Room," I said.

"My mother set it up." He rubbed his eyes. "She told me Selene needed to be seen with me, to look established for a job."

"And you said yes."

"I always said yes. When you walked in, I called her a client because I was afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of you throwing the sea bass."

"I wouldn't have."

"I know that now. That was the worst part of watching you fix my tie."

I let that sit.

"And the car?"

"She got in the front seat before I could stop her."

"Then I offered her the guest room."

"I thought you were handing me over." His jaw worked. "I thought you wanted her in the house so you could stop being married to me."

"I was trying to be kind."

"I know. I said 'Get out' because I couldn't stand to hear it."

I took a breath.

"Now the other thing."

He nodded and stood, as if he had to be on his feet for it.

"Three years ago, a month before the party, I slept with her. Once, in a hotel after a Foundation lunch."

I did not move.

Keep reading free with an account. Start My Husband Lost My Jealousy from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.