The Calhoun + Calhoun holiday party wasn’t much of a secret in the Aspen real estate community. Enough employees had cycled in and out of the firm over the years that word had spread about the tradition. But how did he know they were having it at the Lions’? Someone must have told him about Zara. He was there to sabotage the sale of Montague House and steal her as a client. Maybe one of their agents had tipped him off to spite Claudine. Or maybe he’d gotten the information from someone at the airport or at her hotel. In Aspen, there were always a few bucks to be made from leaking the whereabouts of a visiting celebrity. Henry didn’t blame whoever told him. And he couldn’t even blame the house. He was the one who had built it. If anyone was to blame, it was him. Steve showing up was inevitable. That didn’t mean they had to let him in.

“Sorry,” Claudine said. “No room at the inn.”

As she started to close the door, the headlights of a black SUV pulled in the drive.

“Oh, that must be her,” Steve said. “I’ll wait. Say hi to Zara. I’m sure she’ll ask me why I’ve been turned away. It’ll be awkward, but I’ll have to tell her… everything.”

Steve was right. It was too late. If they wanted to sell the house to Zara, they couldn’t make a scene. And now Henry did want to sell the house to Zara. Up until now he hadn’t cared. His career was over tomorrow either way. Steve trying to poach her from Claudine, though, that changed the game. Now he had to protect what was his. Ready to compete. Busting up Steve’s plan and securing the Zara sale wouldn’t make up for what he had done to them, to their marriage. But at least it was something—a small bit of retribution.

“Come in,” Henry said. “Louisa will take your coat and your phone. And Jules will take your gift.”

It was only 29 degrees outside, but as they stood on the front step, about to greet Zara, Henry felt a trickle of sweat drip down his back.

PART TWO The Affair

Claudine