He did not answer that question.
Instead:
“You see how this becomes.”
“How does it become?”
He buttoned his jacket.
“You know what I mean.”
I did.
And I didn’t.
Outside, Evelyn waited near reception.
“Arthur was embarrassed.”
“I noticed.”
“He’s sensitive about appearances.”
“Especially when business and family overlap?”
She touched her pearl.
“You could simply withdraw from the reception.”
“Why?”
“So Arthur doesn’t have to explain you.”
“Explain me to whom?”