I lay my head on his shoulder and pat his thigh. “Darling, thank you again for coming with me. Putting your work on hold like this and everything. You’re the best husband a girl could ask for.”

“Well, what else was I supposed to do for my best girl? I couldn’t let you travel halfway across the world without me, could I?”

At this point, I should reveal—if you haven’t guessed already—that we’re not exactly speaking off the cuff. During our many long hours of preparation, we sketched out conversations like this, for the edification of anyone listening—it might not convince them, Fox said, but it would give our story a little more credibility. We had to pull it off right, though. We had to make it sound natural. No scripts, no set speeches. Spontaneity, that was the ticket. Did I think I could manage that? I said I thought I could.

What I don’t expect is how naturally Fox carries off the act.

“Mmm,” I purr, as if snuggling into his chest. “You’ll love Iris, darling, even though she’s not a bit like me.”

“No? But I love every bit of you!”

I giggle, which is no stretch, believe me, as drunk as I am. “She’s sweet and quiet and never puts a foot wrong. Never has too much to drink!”

“Aw, I don’t mind that. I like a girl who likes a good time.”

“Oh, Sumner, stop! I’m so awfully tired.”

“How tired?”

“Tired enough to go right to sleep. Do you mind?”

“I sure do. A husband has his needs, you know.”

“So does a wife, but not after a day like today. Now be a good boy and kiss me good night like a gentleman.”

“Good night, darling.” He kisses me, a little noisily, so I almost laugh. I put my arms around his neck and pull him down with me, so the bedsprings squeak.

“Oh, don’t be naughty! I really can’t!” I cry.

His shoulders shake. He rolls me over.

“Darling, please. Rain check?”

“Oh, all right. As long as I can cash it in tomorrow, with interest.” He makes a noise like a dog with a bone. When he looks up, he’s smiling this grateful smile—relieved—a wonderful and unguarded expression that transforms his face, and I realize this is the one part of the operation he hasn’t planned out, or even allowed himself to consider, and I’ve come up trumps, haven’t I? I mean, you couldn’t have finessed that scene any better if you tried.

“You’re the most considerate husband in the world, and I’m so glad I married you.”

Fox winks a pale eye. “Sleep well, buttercup.”