“You’ve become cold.”

“No. I’ve become clear.”

She set the envelope on top of the roses and went inside. Her knees gave out as soon as the door closed. Frank caught her before she reached the floor.

Chapter 8 — Twenty-Two Days

For three weeks, Maddie did not contact Eli. She needed to know she could survive without replacing one man with another. Eli didn’t push. He sent only two messages.

The first read, Martin says your flowers are still alive. Apparently they’re as stubborn as you are. The second arrived after a reporter parked outside Frank’s house: You don’t owe strangers a performance of your pain. Maddie read that one seven times.

On the twenty-second day, she texted him. Coffee. Public place. No dancing. He replied within a minute. I accept all terms.