Chapter 4
Daniel glanced at my phone but didn’t answer.
Rachel looked up first.
“Tomorrow? But we just got here.”
I ignored her and set my phone beside my plate.
I waited for Daniel.
He picked up his water and took a sip.
“The flights and hotel are already paid for. There’s no reason to waste all that over one dinner.”
“I’m asking if you’ll come home with me.”
“Nora.” He set down the glass, impatience creeping into his voice. “Can you at least finish dinner first?”
The server arrived with our food.
I moved aside to give him room, then waited until he’d left before looking at Daniel again.
“Before we left, you said she wouldn’t affect our trip. When I arrived, you sent me to another building. Half an hour ago, you agreed to dinner alone, and you brought her anyway.”
“You’ve already said all this.”
“Because you haven’t answered any of it.”
Rachel held her fork without eating.
“I shouldn’t have come,” she said quietly. “I just thought that after leaving him, I’d still have someone I could talk to.”
Daniel turned to her.
“Don’t think that.”
The gentleness in his voice made his impatience with me even harder to miss.
I put the reservation records back in my bag.
“You two can eat. I’m done talking.”
Daniel reached over and put his hand on my phone.
“If you book a flight now, what happens to tomorrow’s boat trip?”
I’d reserved that excursion for two.
Lunch on board. A stop I’d specifically asked the crew to make so we could take photos.
“I’ll handle my reservations.”
He looked at me as if he’d only just realized I meant to leave.
“You’re really taking it this far?”
“I’m not staying for this version of our trip. And I’m not arguing about it again.”
Rachel suddenly put down her fork and pressed a hand to her stomach, her shoulders curling forward.
Daniel immediately let go of my phone.
“What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t eat this afternoon. My stomach hurts a little.” She touched her forehead. “It’s okay. Keep talking.”
He was already on his feet, his hand on her shoulder.
I stopped a passing server.
“Could you contact the hotel’s medical staff? She isn’t feeling well.”
“No need.”
Rachel looked up, speaking more quickly.
“I just need to lie down.”
Daniel picked up the shawl from the back of her chair.
“I’ll take her upstairs.”
I stayed seated.
“And then?”
He draped the shawl around her before turning to me.
“We’ll talk when she feels better.”
“Are you coming home tomorrow?”
Rachel braced herself against the table as she stood. He quickly took her arm.
“How can I leave her like this?”
I watched him steady her, then pick up her handbag.
“Okay. I have my answer.”
Daniel frowned, apparently waiting for me to keep arguing.
When I picked up my napkin instead, he hesitated.
“Eat something. Go back to your room and calm down. I’ll come by later.”
I spread the napkin across my lap.
“Don’t come tonight.”
His lips parted, but Rachel tugged gently at his sleeve.
“Daniel, let’s go.”
They walked past me.
He didn’t stop again.
When the server came to remove the empty chair, he quietly asked if I still wanted the anniversary dessert.
“No, thank you. Just some warm water, please.”
I finished my fish and paid for my portion of the bill.
No new messages.
I reopened the flight page and selected the earliest departure the next morning.
A notice appeared.
This fare is nonrefundable. Continue?
I entered the details for one passenger.
Then I pressed Confirm.