“Two,” I replied, then paused just long enough to make the next part sound incidental. “And if possible, I’d like a table next to the reservation under the name Nathan Cole.”
There was a brief silence, keys tapping softly in the background.
“Yes, we have Table Twelve available, directly beside it.”
“Perfect,” I said, exhaling. “Please put it under the name Audrey Pierce.”
When I hung up, my reflection in the darkened kitchen window looked unfamiliar, composed in a way that felt earned rather than forced.
Then I called Julian.
It rang three times before he answered.
“Audrey?” he said, surprised. “Is everything okay?”
“Not exactly,” I replied. “Could you meet me tonight? I need to show you something, and I’d rather not do it alone.”
A pause, heavier than silence.
“…Does this have anything to do with Vanessa?” he asked quietly.
“Yes.”
Another pause.
“Where?”
“La Stella Rossa. 8:45.”
“I’ll be there,” he said, his voice changing in a way that told me he already knew more than he wanted to.