—Mabel—
The silence that followed his departure suffocated me.
I leaned forward and clicked the intercom.
“Mara, please come.”
A faint crackle.
“Right away.”
I leaned back and stared at the door, Tom’s last words replaying in my head.
Why did he make me feel so exposed? As if he'd peeled back a layer I didn't even know was showing.
The door slid open, and Mara walked in.
“Ma’am?”
“Take care of this,” I said, handing her the flowers.
She nodded. “Of course.”
I waited until she left, then reached into my purse, pulled out my phone, and dialed Ruth.
She picked up. “Hello, bestie. What’s up?”
“Guess what just happened, Ruth.”
“What?”
“Tom Marlow was here. And no, it wasn’t the usual diplomatic visit. I knew he was up to something with all those flowers he'd been sending!”
“Wha
