Page 44 of Promise Me Never

When I got home, he was at the stove, stirring something delicious-smelling, a glass of wine on the counter next to him. Jazz streamed on the speaker and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. He beamed when he saw me, making me feel like his favorite person in the world.

“There’s a glass waiting for you,” he said, pointing to the island. I slid out of my coat, threw it on the chair by the sofa, and sat down on the stool in front of the island.

“Something smells good,” I said, trying to disguise my mood.

“Shrimp scampi over linguine, your favorite.”

“Making up for your boorish behavior earlier?” I asked, my voice light.

He turned and came over to me, kissing me on the lips. “Yes. I’m sorry. I get so involved in what I’m working on, it’s like I turn into a different person. But all good now.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” I replied, arching an eyebrow.

“Everything all set at the gallery?”

“Yes. Not that much to do since I’m only bringing a few pieces, but Elena wanted me to choose which part of the room I wanted.”

“I’m so proud of you, my talented wife.”

We finished dinner and opened another bottle of wine. A thought occurred to me. Maybe if Bennett drank enough, he’d fall asleep before I did, and I could look for the key. Between the two of us, it wasn’t unusual to finish a bottle and a half or even two on special occasions. I decided to make tonight one of those nights, only I’d nurse my glass while pouring more into his.

“Let’s celebrate,” I said.

“That sounds nice.”

We moved over to the sofa, and I brought the bottle.

We finished the bottle, or I should say he did. We went upstairs and made love and he quickly passed out. Once I was sure he was out for good, I slipped from the bed and began to search for the key. I needed to get into that office. I wasn’t going to sleep until I found it.

| Thirty-Eight |

Savannah

Savannah was reading through Bennett’s notes again, this time comparing them to the first ones he’d given her. His second notes contradicted his first. She’d changed the opening line to be more provocative as he’d suggested, and then he made a comment that it was overdone. If she didn’t know better, she would think he was trying to derail her writing. But why would he do that? She was pouring herself another cup of coffee before taking Finn to the park when Bennett came into the kitchen.

“I just got off the phone with Marion,” he said.

“Oh, how is she?” Savannah hadn’t spoken to her old boss since she’d left. She felt awkward calling her. It wasn’t as though they had exactly been friends.

“Fine. But she wants me to go to Europe for a tour.”

“When?”

“Next week. The foreign sales have been strong, and they want me in London, Dublin, Munich, and Rome.”

“That’s amazing! Sounds fantastic.” What if he wanted her to go with him? She hadn’t had time to get a new passport yet.

“It’s not the best timing. I’m way behind, and it’s going to be tough to write while I’m touring, but I’m going to have to. It’s going to be killer.”

“Can’t they give you an extension on the next book?”

“No. Marion says it’s essential I stay on track for a new book each winter. Plus, if I stop then I’ll lose all my mojo. I’ll have to suck it up. If circumstances were different, I’d love to bring you, and we could see all the sights. But I’ll be sleeping, writing, and speaking.”

Relieved, she smiled. “Of course. I understand. I’ll keep the home fires burning.” That was a corny thing to say, she thought. But he smiled and kissed her on the head.

“That’s one of the many things I love about you. No drama. You get me.”

She nodded. “Listen, I was going through your notes again, and I had a question.”