Page 149 of Be My Wife

“Nothing.” She eases back. “I just wanted to get to the office early.”

“Okay, but you didn’t answer my texts or my calls—”

“I needed to go to my apartment for something,” she says, still avoiding my eyes.

Alarm bells clang in my head but, certain that I won’t like the answers if I press her for the truth, I pretend to believe her. “Are you okay?” I jerk my chin at her body. “We went pretty hard last night.”

“I’m fine.”

“Elizabeth—”

“I have to work.” Finally, she looks at me, but her stare is cold. “Is there anything else?”

I shake my head.

She turns and strides out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

I un-tint the windows and stare in confusion at the woman who was all over me last night. She’s sitting stiffly at her desk, her lips firm and her expression tense.

I wish she’d talk to me.

I can’t read minds.

I’m horrible at that.

My time with Lana proved it’s a weakness.

But what my previous marriage did sharpen in me is my ability to detect a lie. There’s more to Elizabeth’s disappearance this morning. Something deeper than just wanting to get into the office early.

Hoping to patch things up later, I keep my distance and wait to corner my wife again.

Except I don’t.

She slips away for lunch and then, in the evening, informs me that her mother called and she’s spending the night with her family.

“Why?” Pressing the cell phone closer to my ear, I ask, “Elizabeth, what’s going on?”

“Nothing. They need help making Novah’s wedding favors.”

“I’ll help too.”

“I’m good.”

“Well, I’ll send Gerard to pick you up and bring you back home. We need to talk.”

“Brogan, please. I just… I need some space.”

“Space?”

“Yes.” She sighs. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Click.

I stare at the phone in frustration. That’s a flimsy excuse and we both know it.

At least Lana was better at lying.

Elizabeth is far too transparent.

---