HE GAVE HIS MISTRESS MY PADDLE. HE FORGOT THE AUCTION HOUSE BELONGED TO ME

said you never wore them.”

“He says many things that aren’t true.”

The smile remained, but her eyes sharpened.

She was beautiful in the disciplined way Julian admired. Nothing careless. Nothing soft. Her blond hair was swept into a smooth knot. Her mouth was painted the color of dark roses.

She had expected me to arrive wounded.

My calm unsettled her.

“Julian continue reading …