I didn’t like Ellasbeth. I think I’d be pretty upset myself if I came home and found a girl in Nick’s bathtub, but after seeing her shouting at Trent, I couldn’t find any sympathy for her. Accusing someone of cheating is harsh. My smile faltered as I realized I had almost done the same thing to Nick. I had accused him of dumping me, asking if there was someone else. There was a difference, but not much. Shit. I had to apologize. That he hadn’t told me where he’d been going the last three months while avoiding me didn’t seem like enough reason anymore. At least I hadn’t called him any names. Jerking myself from my thoughts, I smiled at Ellasbeth.

“Oh, Trent and I go back a long way,” I said lightly, twirling a curl of my hair about my finger and remembering its new shortness. “We met at camp as children. Sort of romantic when you think about it.” I smiled at Trent’s suddenly blank look.

“Really?” She turned to Trent, the hint of a tiger growling in her voice’s soft cadence.

Sitting up, I tucked my legs under me to sit cross-legged, running my finger across the rim of the mug suggestively. “He was such a cub when he was younger, full of fire and spirit. I had to fight him off, the dear boy. That’s where he got that scar on his lower arm.”

I looked at Trent. “I can’t believe you haven’t told Ellasbeth! Trent, you aren’t still embarrassed about that, are you?”

Ellasbeth’s eye twitched, but her smile never faltered. Maggie set a delicate looking cup full of an amber liquid by her elbow and quietly walked away. Her carefully shaped eyebrows high, Ellasbeth took in Trent’s silent posture and his lack of denial. Her fingertips made one rolling cadence against the table in agitation. “I see,” she said, then stood. “Trenton, I do believe I will catch a flight out tonight after all.”

Trent met her gaze. He looked tired and a bit relieved. “If that is what you want, love.”

She leaned close to him, her eyes on me. “It’s to give you the chance to settle your affairs—sweetness,” she said, her lips shifting the air about his ear. Still watching me, she lightly kissed his cheek. There was no feeling in her eyes beyond a vindictive glint. “Call me tomorrow.”

Not a flicker of emotion crossed Trent. Nothing. And its very absence chilled me. “I’ll count the hours,” he said, his voice giving no clue either. Both of their eyes were on me as his hand rose to touch her cheek, but he didn’t kiss her back. “Should Maggie pack up your tea?”