Trouble

“I’ve been gone three hours.” I glance at the clock hanging in the kitchen and back to my slightly pale boyfriend. “Are you okay? Is your back hurting?”

“No, no.” He forces a laugh, but it’s off. Something’s wrong. “I’m good. I was just getting changed. Thought I might go for a jog.”

“Really?” I can’t hide the disappointment in my tone. “It’s after six.”

“On a Thursday. Did you want to go to dinner or something? We can make a reservation for tomorrow. Tell you what, why don’t you run down and ask Eric if he’ll set that up for us?”

“Run down? I can call him from here.” My chest tightens, and I push past my sweaty boyfriend into our shared apartment. “What’s going on?”

My eyes travel around the living room. Everything is in place—the rich leather sofa is pristine. The polished oak furniture is in order, and a low fire burns in the wall fireplace.

I see no signs of anything unusual, but I can’t deny the sneaking suspicion someone is here.

“What the hell would be going on?” Elliot’s voice goes high, and he clears it. “You’re being silly.”

“Am I?”

“Tell you what, I’ll skip the run, and we can take our chances. Let’s go out to dinner. I’m sure we can get a table somewhere.”

I don’t answer him.

I walk to the bathroom, sensing a trail. It’s like a scent hanging in the air. I’m following the lure of suspicion about the truth I’ve wanted to ignore for so long

.

Anxiety is back in my chest, and my stomach trembles. My shoulders are tight when I realize it’s happening. His lies are about to be exposed, and I’m not looking away anymore.

“Who’s here, Elliot?” My voice is even, and I glance from the bedroom to the living room, where he stands watching me.

“I don’t know what you mean, babe.” He smiles, but it’s not his usual, disinterested smile. He’s very interested in what’s happening right now. “I’m here. You’re here.”

“Who else is here?”

I don’t wait for his answer. I continue into our bedroom, where the California king is made perfectly. Hospital corners, not a wrinkle in sight. Only…

“I never make the bed this well.”

“I didn’t want to say anything…” He exhales a heavy chuckle, and I go straight to his walk-in closet.

I used to joke it was as big as my first apartment in Columbia. He’s on my heels, but I beat him to it, jerking the door open.

It’s what I knew I’d find, but still, the blood drains from my face. I feel light-headed.

Sitting on the divan in the middle of the closet with her legs crossed under the yellow spotlight is Nadine.

Her only clothing is a push-up bra and beige silk skirt, and her inky-brown hair is styled in a shoulder-length swooshy bob.

“Your secretary?” I’m shocked by how calm my voice sounds.

“Surprise…” Nadine does a little wave, smiling as her foot bobs in my slip-on pink feathered heels. They were a gift from Daisy, vintage Chanel. She told me to wear them when I felt sexy.

Nadine’s lips are swollen and her red lipstick is smeared. My eyes go to Elliot’s clean face, and I taste bile when I realize she was probably sucking his cock.

“I can explain.” He’s at my side, but I push past him, crossing the bedroom to my smaller closet.

I moved in here with one suitcase. It’ll take exactly one suitcase for me to gather the few things I care about in this world. Sadly, the vintage Chanel slippers will have to stay behind.

“Joselyn, what are you doing?” Elliot grabs my arm, and it takes all my strength to keep from slapping him across his stupid face.