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“Take this tie off,” she said, tugging it. “You look like an uptight bore.”
“I am an uptight bore.” I undid the knot.
“Everything all right at Crowne?” She crossed her legs and sipped
something made with cola and lime.
“It’s busy.”
She swirled her drink and I ordered mine.
“What’s the face?” I asked.
“I should have married you,” she said sourly.
Imagining the plan with Mandy as a partner was certainly neater, but
less fun. Not that it was supposed to be fun. That hadn’t been important, nor
had it been the point.
But somehow it was the most appealing part of my arrangement with
Ella.
“Why?” I asked.
“Renaldo was supposed to come tonight and he totally bailed. He never
used to cancel on me, and now? Since he left his wife, he’s done it twice.”
“He’s not for you, Mandy.”
“What if he’s got someone else?”
“You’d be surprised?” The first sip of scotch was the best one. The
shock of the cold on my tongue and the dry heat spreading over my chest.
Just like the way Ella looked at me. Cold and hot at the same time.
“You’re actually saying ‘I told you so’?”
“I’m saying you should mitigate your expectations with him.”
“You, Logan Crowne, are the most unfeeling prick I’ve ever met. The
most oblivious to how people really are. We’re not computers. We’re not
spreadsheets or whatever. Things where it all adds up, okay? We’re messy
and I knew he wasn’t mine. I knew the whole time I’d never have him, but I
love him and I’m human.” She yanked her bag off the back of the chair.
“I’m going to the ladies’.”
“Mandy—”
“I’m fine! Just give me a minute.”
She walked away with her hurt feelings, and as I watched her,
wondering if she wanted me to follow her and apologize, I saw Ella coming
out of the elevator.
My wife was a blazing presence in the dimly-lit room. She wore a short
silver dress gathered at the bottom, with leather straps and belt. It was