Vanessa leaned slightly closer. “Let me guess. Catering? Cleaning staff? No shame in it. Someone has to.”
The laughter came easier this time. Louder. The sound of a crowd relieved to be given permission.
I set the plate carefully on the nearest table.
Then I reached into the inner pocket of my coat.
“What now?” Vanessa said. “You brought a coupon?”
I placed my business card directly into the center of the leftover pile.
Simple white card. Black lettering. Nothing decorative.
Her eyes dropped.
Then stopped moving.
“Read my name, Vanessa.”
Her smile shifted — not gone yet, but recalibrated. Something she was trying to hold in place by force.
“You have about thirty seconds,” I said, “before your husband realizes why I’m here.”
What Happened When Grant Vale Recognized the Firm Name Before His Wife Did
She picked up the card between two fingers, the way people handle things they’re not sure about.
“Nora Bell,” she read, and laughed too quickly. “Different hairstyle.”
“Keep reading.”
Her eyes moved down.
