“I don’t know,” Addison said with a shrug. “Just did.”

Luce leaned back as she studied Addison. Thoughts of the last two days came into her mind, and she sat quietly, processing what she knew. The only problem was, the more she processed, the more things didn’t add up.

Pride could have been the basis for the frenzied sex the night before, except Addison didn’t need to demonstrate her prowess in the bedroom, especially not to Luce. A bruised ego could explain the drinking, but Luce had never known Addison’s skin to be that thin. Why did it matter she wasn’t told about Joanna’s fall? She didn’t even like the woman.

Luce’s head snapped up. Could it be? Did Addison actually care about Joanna? Did she like her? Did she more than like her? Cupping her chin in her hand, Luce debated on how to proceed. It didn’t take long.

“So...I saw the pictures in the paper when you attended that party,” Luce said, fixated on her target to catch even the most minor of twitches. “Your wife is beautiful.”

“Yes, she is,” Addison said without raising her eyes.

“Seemed quite happy, too. You make a lovely couple.”

“We aren’t a couple,” Addison said in a whisper. “It’s just for show.”

Luce knew she had found her answer when, like a weight, the truth caused Addison to sink further into the bed. It wasn’t ego, and it wasn’t pride. It was something much more complicated than that and Luce’s heart pained for the woman, who regardless of their business relationship, had become her friend.

Letting out a sigh, Luce decided the demons Addison was fighting, weren’t hers to battle. Getting to her feet, she said, “I’m going to make you some tea, and then you’re going to get some sleep. Okay?”

“Sure,” Addison said. “Whatever you say.”

***

Luce returned to the bedroom a short time later, once again stepping over discarded clothing and empty glasses scattered about the room. Surprised to see Addison still awake, Luce placed the cup on the nightstand. “Here you go. It’s not too hot, in case you’re interested in having some now.”

“Thanks.”

“If you’re okay, I’m going to get dressed. It’s getting late.”

It was the first time Addison had looked at Luce since the shower, and seeing her still bundled in one of the hotel’s bulky white courtesy robes, she said, “That’s fine.”

“Be back in a tick,” Luce said, disappearing into the bathroom.

A couple of minutes later, Luce came back and quickly let out a sigh of relief. Not only had Addison finished her tea, but she was now softly snoring under a mound of blankets. Gathering up the empty cup and a tumbler half-filled with scotch, she swept the pill bottle back into the nightstand drawer before she turned off the light and went home.