Vanessa had gone all out.
She wore a fitted white dress, gold earrings, and a smile that suggested she’d already won something.
When Irvin arrived alone, she hurried toward him.
“You came!”
“I said I would.”
She touched his arm.
“I wasn’t sure you would.”
“I almost didn’t.”
Her smile faltered.
Then she glanced over his shoulder.
“Where’s Rachel?”
“At home.”
“Good.”
Irvin’s expression hardened.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Talk about my wife as if she’s an inconvenience.”
Vanessa laughed lightly.
“I’m just saying it’s nice to have you to myself for once.”
“I’m not here to be alone with you, Vanessa. I’m here because you invited several neighbors to a barbecue, and I don’t want to be rude to them.”
She stared at him.
“You really are determined to make this difficult.”
“No. I’m determined to make it clear.”
Before she could respond, one of the neighbors approached them.
