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I’m about to leave for the day when I get a strange phone call. “Faith Winter?”
“Yes.”
“Name’s Ned. I’m your broker.”
“I don’t have a broker.”
“You do. You invested sixty thousand in a hot stock. I want to cash you out.”
“Nick did this, didn’t he?”
“Yes. He did. Good fucking news for you, too. You’re up a hundred and fifty thousand, but you need to get out while you’re on top. Do it?”
I’m stunned. Blown away. Confused.
“Do it? Snap. Snap. This is time sensitive.”
“Yes. And send the money to Nick.”
“Can’t do that. He put it in your name. You have to send it to him yourself. Gotta go. Toodle-oo and all that shit.” He hangs up.
…
My first Friday without Nick…
I start the day feeling Nick’s silence. I don’t want to feel it, but I do. I comfort myself by putting the down payment on my apartment, but by evening the idea of a weekend alone is pretty much gutting me. I need things to fill my apartment. And when Bill calls, I answer. I agree that we need to meet. And I decide to rent a car and head to Sonoma for the weekend, talk to him, check on my house, the winery, and Kasey, and gather some of the leftover personal stuff I still have there.
Because being alone is not better, even if it is safer.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Nick
My first night without Faith…
Hell.
My second night without Faith…
Hell.
Every night without Faith…
Hell.
If she’s going to Sonoma, so am I.
…
The minute I hear Faith has rented a car, I know she’s driving to Sonoma. And I don’t want her there with Bill. I don’t want her there—or anywhere—without me. And I’m done waiting on the autopsy report and answers. All fucking week I’ve waited without Faith. And so, I hit the road in the BMW, heading for Sonoma with a ring in my pocket and my heart shamelessly on my sleeve.
Because being alone is fine, as long as being alone is with Faith. Otherwise,alone is hell.
Chapter Forty
Faith
My new landlord calls about the time I am on the road to Sonoma, confirming I can move in next weekend. I tell her how excited I am, and I try to sound convincing, but reality is setting in. I’m leaving Nick behind. I use my Siri feature to call Kasey.
