Chapter 2

"Yes," Everett said. "If you want it."

Simon stepped between us. "She doesn't."

Everett kept his eyes on me. "Do you need a ride, Laurel?"

"I need to get the rest of my things."

"I'll wait here," he said. "The pass closes in thirty-two minutes."

Simon followed me into the elevator.

"You're really going with him?"

"I'm leaving because you brought Camille."

The elevator opened. Simon caught the door before I could step out.

"Everett always wanted more from you."

"Everett asked what I wanted. You answered for me."

"I know you better than he does."

"Then you should've known I wouldn't spend our anniversary with Camille."

He let the door go.

When we returned to the suite, Camille had changed into leggings and one of Simon's sweaters. My robe lay in a heap on the bathroom floor.

I picked it up and laid it across my open suitcase.

"I'm sorry," Camille said. "I told Simon I could sleep in the lobby."

"No, you didn't."

Her eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"You wanted to be here. At least tell the truth while you stand in my room."

Simon shut the door behind us. "Apologize."

I looked at him. "To whom?"

"Camille. Her engagement ended today, and you're treating her like she planned it."

Camille pressed her lips together and smoothed the dinner itinerary across the dresser.

"Simon, please don't fight with your wife because of me."

I took the paper from her. Simon's order had been crossed out and replaced with grilled fish in Camille's handwriting.

"You changed his dinner?"

"Cream sauces keep him awake. He always forgets."

I looked at Simon. He didn't seem surprised.

"You knew about this?"

"It's one meal, Laurel."

Camille reached into her purse and placed a bottle of antacid beside his wallet.

"He calls me when he can't sleep," she said. "Sometimes he needs to talk."

Simon turned toward her. "Camille."

I stopped folding my robe.

"About us?"

He rubbed one hand across his jaw. "I've vented a few times. That's all."

Camille lowered her eyes, hiding a smile.

I placed the robe in my suitcase and pulled the zipper closed. Simon put his hand on the lid.

"Stay tonight," he said. "We'll talk later."

"Later?"

His gaze moved to Camille. "When she's calmer."

I pulled the suitcase toward me. He held on.

"Then stay with her."

Camille sat on the edge of our bed. "If your marriage is this fragile, maybe I'm doing you a favor."

Simon glanced back at her. "She didn't mean that."

I removed his fingers from the suitcase handle one by one.

"She did. Move."

I sent Everett one message: Room 417. I'm ready.

A knock sounded at the door.

Everett stood in the hallway with my coat over one arm. I had left it on the chair downstairs.

"The desk announced twenty minutes," he said. "I thought you'd need this."

Simon stared at him.

"You came all the way up here?" Simon asked.

"Laurel said she needed her things."

"This is between my wife and me."

Everett handed me the coat. "Then listen when she speaks."

Simon stepped into the doorway and gripped the frame.

"You're enjoying this," he said.

"I want Laurel off the mountain before the road closes."

"She isn't going anywhere with you."

I pulled on my coat and reached for my suitcase.

Simon blocked the doorway.

"You would rather leave with a man you haven't seen in years than stay here with your husband?"