Chapter 3

My thumb hovered over the power button when Antonio’s call invaded.

“Check your texts. Picking you up in twenty.”

The “surprise” he promised tasted like an impending disaster.

Before I could decline, the line died.

My unblocked status felt like cosmic irony.

Antonio’s Tesla idled below when I finished swallowing antibiotics.

I pulled on sweatpants and descended.

His smile died at the sight of my bare–faced pallor.

“Jesus, Grace! You look like a corpse! Can’t even throw on lipstick for appearances?”

Valda’s sequined evening gown shimmered from the passenger seat.

She rolled down the window with a kittenish pout.

“Oops! Forgot to tell Grace about the dress code.”

Her unblocked account notification glowed in my inbox.

I shrugged. “Real men don’t need wives as arm candy.”

“Besides, Valda’s glitter should blind everyone sufficiently.”

Valda stayed rooted in the front seat leather. I climbed into the backseat prison.

Valda’s prattle filled the Tesla.

“…and then at my birthday party, Tony made it rain hundred- dollar bills! You should’ve seen-” 

Every red light brought Antonio’s rearview mirror glances. Every ignored attempt at eye contact tightened his grip on the wheel.

The Tesla halted under hotel marquee lights. Valda slithered out, arm instantly threading through Antonio’s.

I trailed behind, gaze scraping their linked arms like rusted nails.

The hotel valet bowed to Valda. “Welcome back, Mrs. Kaufman.”

Antonio’s mouth opened. Closed. That was hilarious.

Everyone waited in front of the elevator.

They froze at Valda’s arm through Antonio’s.

Shareholder Chad Mathis rushed to salvage the scene. “Ms. Parrish! The Zurich deal wouldn’t exist without your negotiation!”

“Just doing my job.” I adjusted my ponytail.

“Who knows what position I’ll take after Geneva.”

Antonio froze mid–stride.

“Geneva?” He wheeled around, face contorting.

“Since when do you make decisions without me?”