“No. It’s probably my husband’s. He must have left it.” I reached out my hand for it. “I’ll text his office and let them know I have it.”

“How sweet,” Keti said looking at the screen. “Amore. Is that what he calls you?”

“Amore?” I looked at her blankly. “No . . .”

She handed me the phone. “It’s right here.”

Amore Mia

Text Message

Amore? My love? Who’s calling my husband Amore? No, that’s not how it works. Who is my husband calling Amore Mia? I pressed the notification.

Amore Mia

Are you on your way?

October 11, 2009 1:04 PM

I started reading backward through the thread of messages.

Amore Mia

Your so good

October 11, 2009 12:55 PM

Dan the Man

Not now. After she is back home. Feeling better

October 11, 2009 12:54 PM

Amore Mia

:( When are you going to tell her?

October 11, 2009 12:52 PM

Dan the Man

She’s doing okay. Made it through the hard time

October 11, 2009 12:51 PM

Amore Mia

After. Pretty please? You’ll be glad! ;-) How is Elise?

October 11, 2009 12:49 PM

Dan the Man

:) On way to hospital see Elise. I love you

October 11, 2009 12:45 PM

Amore Mia

Just had the sweetest dream of you. I miss you. Can you come over?

October 11, 2009 12:42 PM

Amore Mia

Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Please. Please. Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 11, 2009 10:07 AM

Dan the Man

Floating. Last night was unbelievable. We need a rerun ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 11, 2009 9:42 AM

Amore Mia

How is my dreamboy today?

October 11, 2009 9:39 AM

There were more. Many more. I couldn’t read them because my eyes were filled with tears.

“Honey?” Keti said.

I looked up at her. “My husband is cheating on me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Just then Dan walked back into the room. “Hi, babe, I forgot my phone.”

I looked at him, shaking, unable to speak.

“Why are you crying?” He looked at Keti. “Is she in pain?”

“I would think so,” Keti said, her eyes narrow with anger.

“Can you get her something for it?”

“Not for this pain.”

He looked at her quizzically, then back over at me. “Honey . . .”

“Who is she?” I said.

“I’ll check on your antibiotic,” Keti said, making her way toward the door. It sounded ridiculous, like telling someone in a hurricane that you would be back to wash their windows. She brushed by Dan on the way out.

“Who?” he asked, his eyes stupidly wide.

“Who is Amore Mia?”

He stepped toward me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I held up his phone. “Who is Amore Mia?”

“Elise . . .”

“If you have something to tell me, tell me now.”

“It’s nothing. She’s nothing.”

“I read the texts. Don’t lie to me.”

For a moment we looked at each other, then he breathed out slowly, as if he’d resigned himself. “Okay, so you caught me. I’m having an affair.”

“Who is she?”

He looked even more uncomfortable.

“Do I know her?”

“Kayla,” he said.