Page 70 of Brighter Together

I am not working on Tommy.

I am not telling him to choose my family.

I am not giving Lee another piece of information.

Tomorrow, the firm presents exactly like everyone else.

And if Tommy hates their plans, then he hates them.

My reflection catches in the mirror across the room.

I look pale.

Fantastic.

Exactly the look I was hoping for tonight.

I straighten.

Dinner.

Tommy.

Manchester.

For the next few hours, Lee gets nothing.

Not even space in my head if I can help it.

Twenty minutes later, I stare into the wardrobe and regret every packing decision I have ever made.

In my astonishing optimism, I brought one business outfit for tomorrow and jeans with a black T-shirt for tonight.

That’s it.

Apparently the version of me packing yesterday still believed Tommy and I would spend Manchester exchanging polite comments about architecture and retiring chastely to separate bedrooms.

That woman was an idiot.

I pull the T-shirt down and look at myself in the mirror.

Jeans.

Boots.

Black top.

Nothing remotely seductive about any of it.

Then again, Tommy kissed me in a car while I was wearing sensible black work trousers and a simple blouse.

Maybe I’m overthinking this.

A knock sounds at the door.

My stomach flips.

I grab my handbag and open the door.