Page 87 of Endgame

‘You prepping two people to squeal, should something terrible happen, doesn’t sound very clean, Dominic. Is any of what you’re doing legal?’

‘I never claimed to be a saint, Ariella. I’d relax if I were you. You have sealed documents along with the minutes of a meeting that don’t exactly radiate moral or legal purity.’

He’s right, and the shame makes me avert my gaze.

‘Hey,’ he says, reaching for my hand across the table. ‘That wasn’t an attack. You did something morally and legally grey for people you care about. I’m just doing the same.’

I can’t argue with him on that. ‘Why do you think Melissa is doing this?’ I ask.

‘In a word, Kevin. I think the wedding was a step too far. I don’t know much about the ins and outs of their relationship, but I don’t think that I can recall a time when Kevin has been faithful to Melissa. Even before she started seeing Caleb.’

It hurts to be reminded.

‘Kevin could have put a stop to it but I think he let it happen.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I’ll tell you this. Kevin and Melissa are intentional people. Very little in their world happens unless they make or let it happen. I suspect they had plans for Caleb before he sat down at our table that night. No one accidentally ends up on a table that powerful, especially not at the Tech Awards. What I can’t tell you is who had those plans – Kevin, or Melissa.’

‘How have you survived this?’

‘I tend to keep my nose out of other people’s lives. I have my own problems to deal with.’

‘Dom, I don’t know if I can take two years of this.’ I well up and he moves to put his arm round me.

‘I know. It will blow over. I promise.’

I nod and move away carefully. His natural scent, that I kind of liked at one point, is a little hard for me to bear today.

‘So what do you think we should do?’

‘Sit tight. Caleb is fine now. Let’s hear what these storytimes are all about, and we’ll handle what comes up. We’re fine. It’s Kevin that’s losing his shit. Nothing is going to happen to you on my watch, Aari.’

I believe him.

‘Do you mind if I share all this with Caleb, Lydia and Bryce?’

‘Sure, but please keep it to just them. Samir has no idea what is going on.’

‘I will.’ I move my chair back to stand.

‘Wait. I have a favour to ask you. In a couple of weeks, I’m entertaining some local and international friends in my home. There will be about sixteen, maximum twenty of us. My caterers are great for local cuisine but are terrible at American classics. I need you to work with the caterers to do what you did during film night.’

‘The caterers don’t mind? I suspect they might have a problem with that.’

‘If they want to keep their contract, they won’t.’

‘Are you asking me as my friend or my boss?’

‘A bit of both? It’s an important dinner, Aari, but it needs to feel homely.’

‘All I’d have to do is cook the movie night menu for twenty?’

‘Yes.’

I’ve never cooked for that many people before, but it’s a challenge and a welcome opportunity that might help to takemy mind off things. All I’d have to do is cook at the caterer’s facilities and they will be responsible for taking it to Dominic’s and serving his guests. It will be an education to meet the caterers, have a behind-the-scenes peek at their operations, use their industrial kitchens and learn how they execute the fast-turnaround dishes.

‘Sure.’

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