I laughed, took his arm, and walked inside.
People noticed us immediately.
Some of them were former friends.
Some were Mason’s colleagues.
Several had attended our wedding seven years earlier.
I saw recognition flicker across their faces.
Then curiosity.
Then the inevitable glance toward Julian.
I straightened my shoulders.
For the first time, I understood the brilliance of having an actor beside me.
Julian never looked uncertain.
He leaned toward me when I spoke.
His hand rested lightly against my back.
Whenever someone stared too long, he smiled at me like I was the only person in the room.
It was convincing.
Almost dangerously convincing.
Then I saw Mason.
He was standing near the bar with two men from his firm.
His face brightened when he noticed me.
For half a second, he looked pleased.
He had gotten what he wanted.
His lonely ex-wife had arrived.
Then his eyes moved to Julian.
