“What happened?” My voice sharpened with concern. “Why are you crying?”
“William…” Her voice broke weakly through the phone. “I’m so embarrassed.”
I closed my eyes briefly. Of course she was. Tonight had been a disaster for her socially, and I could only imagine how she was feeling.
“I can’t stop thinking about what happened,” she whispered tearfully. “Everyone was staring at me.”
“Listen.” I rubbed my forehead tiredly. “Elisa…”
“That woman humiliated me in front of everyone.” Her breathing hitched softly. “And now people probably think I’m some kind of joke.”
The words came carefully. Not once did she say Bella’s name directly, but I understood what she actually meant.
The memory of Bella calmly asking “Is the conference open to just anyone now?” flashed through my head again.
Go
