I arrived at the hotel an hour before the board meeting.
The ballroom had been set for the winter benefit. White linens covered the tables, and the restored ceiling reflected the chandeliers. The room looked almost exactly as it had the year Graham and I got engaged.
I remembered standing beneath the same lights while he told me he wanted to build a life with me. I'd believed him. I still believed he had meant it then.
That did not mean he meant it now.
I walked through the ballroom with Simone. She pointed out the new timber samples and the revised lighting plan. We discussed the benefit's displays and the staff schedule. The work gave my hands something to do.
"Do you want to step outside?" Simone asked.
"I'm all right."
"Your eyes are watering."
"The lights are bright."
"I can
