Park Avenue Secrets: Marriage, Manhattan Style. Barbara Dunlop

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      Six

      Home from the enlightening stop at Alexander’s, Elizabeth stood in her kitchen and struggled to remember the last time she and Reed had eaten in their dining room. Rena was also a cook, and when they were first married, she would make sumptuous four- or five-course dinners. Elizabeth and Reed would indulge in a long, candlelit meal, gazing over the park, talking about the events of the day, their hopes and dreams.

      But it had been months since Reed had been home before Rena left for the day. Eventually, the housekeeper had started leaving dinner in the refrigerator for later, tourtière or manicotti—things that were easy to reheat.

      Not that Reed would be hungry tonight. Elizabeth was sure he and his little party of four had had a wonderful dinner at Alexander’s. While Elizabeth had settled for a banana and a glass of juice.

      A key turned in the lock on the penthouse door, and her stomach lurched. She’d been tempted to pack her bags and leave before he arrived. But she kept hearing Hanna’s voice asking her to assume it was nothing until proven otherwise. Well, Reed was about to prove it one way or the other.

      “Elizabeth?” he called, latching the door shut behind him.

      She heard him toss his keys on the entry table, then his footfalls moved toward the living room. She walked out of the kitchen to meet him halfway, glancing at the grandfather clock that showed it was ten-fifteen.

      “Tough day?” she asked as he loosened his tie.

      “I got stuck in meetings.”

      “Ahh.” She nodded, moving behind the sofa and putting it between them. “With anyone in particular?”

      “The last one was with Collin.”

      “Just Collin?”

      Reed peered at her strangely. “Yeah.”

      “Hmm.”

      “Have you eaten?”

      “Were you at the office?”

      He didn’t even miss a beat. “Downstairs. Collin’s apartment.”

      She didn’t respond.

      “We could order something from Cabo Luca.” He picked up the phone.

      “You didn’t eat earlier?”

      “Not a thing. I’m starved.”

      Wow. She’d had no idea her husband was such an accomplished liar.

      “Any other meetings tonight?”

      He paused and cocked his head sideways. “What’s this curiosity all about?”

      “Just making conversation.” She ran her fingertips along the back of the sofa. “Wanting to know about my darling husband’s day.”

      “Tell me about your day. Anything new on the anniversary party?”

      “We’ve chosen the napkins.” After only three weeks of deliberation between the party planner, the caterer and the florist. Elizabeth couldn’t imagine why her life didn’t feel completely fulfilling.

      “That’s good,” said Reed.

      “Nothing with Senator Kendrick?”

      Reed’s eyes narrowed. “Why would you ask that?”

      She shrugged. “The SEC investigation.”

      “I told you not to worry about that.”

      “Well, I am worried about that. I read the papers. Which, by the way, is my only source of information on this subject.”

      Reed moved toward her, but she backed off a few steps.

      “I saw him briefly, earlier today.”

      “Just Kendrick?”

      “Yes. Trent thought it would be good for me to talk to him alone. If you must know, we want him to make a public statement that we’re innocent.”

      A completely inappropriate chuckle burst from Elizabeth. “Innocent?”

      “Of course.”

      Her throat closed in, and her voice rose an octave. “I don’t know what the hell you and Kendrick were doing for four hours with those supermodels, but it sure as hell didn’t look innocent to me.”

      Reed drew back, his eyes going wide. “Whoa.”

      “Who were they, Reed? Or do you even remember their names? A month ago, I would have sworn on a stack of Bibles that you were a faithful husband. And then I thought it was one woman. And now I don’t know how the hell many. How long? How long have you been living a lie?”

      “Elizabeth!” Arms outstretched, he took two steps forward.

      She looped around the end of the sofa. “You stay away from me.”

      “I swear, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

      “Swear all you want, Reed. Because I know how well you lie.”

      “I’ve been completely faithful.” His expression was earnest. If she didn’t know better, she’d believe him without question.

      “Is that why you wouldn’t make love with me? Was it because of her?”

      “There is no her. I didn’t make love with you because you cringed at my touch. Then I was working, and then you were passed out drunk. I want a baby as much as you do, but I’m not making love to an unconscious wife.”

      “Then maybe you should have one with someone else.” She finished the statement on a sob, realizing how very much the thought of Reed having a baby with someone else hurt her. She loved him. Even through all of this, she still loved him.

      It was pathetic.

      “Who else?” he demanded, and she could see he was growing angry.

      Well, so was she. “I don’t know. Take your pick. Maybe that blonde who was hanging all over you in the restaurant, or maybe the—”

      “I don’t know what people told you. But my meeting with the senator was—”

      “Told me?” She laughed again, slightly shrill, slightly hysterical. “Nobody had to tell me anything. I was there, Reed. I saw you. I saw her.”

      “How—”

      “My driver. Or should I say my bodyguard. Joe from Resolute Charter. The finest protection money can buy. Did you know he had a gun? Wait. How silly of me. Of course he had a gun. Is he protecting me from irate girlfriends?”

      “The blond woman was nobody. I didn’t even know her name. She was with the СКАЧАТЬ