Chapter 3

I looked past Simon at Camille. "Does she need you tonight, Simon, or do you need her?"

His hand tightened around the doorframe. "You're twisting this."

Behind him, Camille rose from the bed and grabbed her overnight bag.

"I'll leave you two alone," she said.

She pushed past Simon, dragging the open bag behind her.

Simon released the doorframe and caught the strap.

"You're not driving down that road."

"She wants me gone."

"The pass is covered in ice."

Camille looked at me. "If something happens to me, I hope this weekend was worth it."

Simon took the bag from her. "You're staying."

The doorway was clear now.

I pulled my suitcase into the hall. Everett moved aside to let me pass, then followed me toward the elevator.

"Laurel." Simon left Camille's bag inside the suite and came after us.

The screen beside the elevator showed a red weather warning. Eighteen minutes remained before the lower pass closed.

Everett pressed the button.

Simon caught my suitcase handle from behind.

"Give me ten minutes," he said.

"Let go of my bag."

"At least hear me out."

I pulled once. He held on.

Camille came out of the suite without her bag. Simon glanced back at her, then returned his attention to me.

"Go inside," he told her. "I need to speak to my wife."

Camille stopped.

Her fingers tightened around the sleeves of Simon's sweater.

"Now you need your wife?" she asked.

"Camille, please."

"You called me before Russell did."

Simon's fingers went still on the suitcase handle.

I turned around. "Before Russell ended your engagement?"

Camille watched Simon instead of answering me.

"She's upset," he said. "She has the timing wrong."

"When did he invite you?" I asked her.

Simon stepped between us. "Laurel, this isn't the place."

"Did you call her before Russell left her?"

His eyes shifted toward the elevator.

Everett looked at the weather screen. "Twelve minutes."

I kept my eyes on Simon. He opened his mouth, then looked back at Camille.

My grip tightened around the suitcase handle.

The elevator doors opened. I took my suitcase from him and rolled it inside. Everett joined me.

Simon caught the doors before they closed.

"You don't know what happened," he said.

"I know enough."

Camille stood several feet behind him, her arms folded over Simon's sweater.

"Let her go," she said. "She clearly wants to leave with him."

Simon ignored her and stepped into the elevator.

Camille followed.

Everett watched the changing floor numbers.

The elevator opened onto the lobby. Guests hurried toward the doors with bags and folded umbrellas. An employee warned that the road would close soon.

We crossed the lobby with Simon close behind us.

"Laurel, wait."

I kept walking.

The woman at the front desk smiled at Camille. "Is everything all right with your room, Mrs. Langford?"

I stopped.

"Who did you call Mrs. Langford?" I asked.

The woman's smile vanished. She looked at Simon. "I'm sorry. I saw them together earlier and assumed--"

"It was a mistake," Simon cut in.

I faced him. "And you didn't correct her?"

Everett picked up my suitcase. "Eight minutes."

I headed for the exit.

Simon followed me. "Laurel, don't get in that car."

Behind us, Camille spoke.

"Tell her, Simon. Tell your wife what happened when you brought me here as Mrs. Langford last spring."