Page 95 of Whispers in the Dark
“Everything go okay today?” Joey asks, his gaze in the rearview mirror as he maneuvers the SUV with ease.
“Huh? Oh, yes.” I smile, not feeling an ounce of the happiness behind it. “Yes, everything went great, thank you.”
He nods and positions his eyes back on the road.
I look out the window, my mind feeling all over the place.
There are too many thoughts floating freely through it.
Too many worries.
Too many fears.
My biggest one is that Mauro will never forgive me for lying to him. For not telling him the truth about this marriage.
And if he won’t forgive me… My knuckles tighten around my bag, my stomach twisting as if I might heave up this morning’s breakfast.
I can’t think about that right now.
We slow as we approach a red light, and I force myself to take a controlled, deliberate breath.
Everything will be okay.
A flash of light blinds me for a moment as the sun catches on a passing car. When it moves on, I glance across the street, squinting against the glare.
And then I see him.
Mauro.
I didn’t know he’d be here.
I thought he had a meeting this afternoon…
He stands in front of a building, holding the door open.
I roll down my window, ready to call out to him, but then—
She steps out.
A beautiful, tall, blonde, slender woman wrapped in a dark green pea coat.
She places her palm on Mauro’s shoulder, just so, and leans in to say something. His expression softens, and then…he smiles at her.
My throat burns. My chest tightens until it feels like it might cave in. Hot tears sting my eyes. I blink rapidly, but the image before me remains unchanged.
A car pulls to the curb, and he opens the door for her, waiting for her to gracefully enter before shutting the door behind her. His hands slip into his pockets, and he turns down the alley, walking with that calm, easy stride I know too well.
Maybe I’m overthinking it.
Maybe it was just a meet-up with an old friend.
Or maybe…
Just as we begin to move, my eye catches on the sign above the door, causing every muscle in my body to freeze.
The Starlake Hotel.
My heart stops beating altogether as it splits perfectly down the middle.
