Page 113 of Perfect Assumption

“Damn straight. I’m no man’s fool.”

Unsaid between us is the word “again.” Sula refuses to discuss the man she lost her heart to in the past, and I fully respect that. “What did Josef do?”

A sound of disgust comes out. “Tried to bluff. That is until I showed the date and timestamp of the photos.”

“Outstanding. God, I adore you.”

“Back at you. Does ‘Winsome Ward’ have any friends?”

I think back to what he admitted to me on a frigid Montana balcony about Mike and Steve and shudder. “None that are your type.” If Sula knew that Ward grew up with the two men who abused me, there’s no telling how ballistic she would go in her present mood. That’s a conversation best had in person, I decide as I slide into my car.

“Hot, sexy, and rich? Babe, they could be aliens and I could work with that.”

I grin as I back my car out of the garage. “I’m going to work now.”

“Fine. Keep him wrapped up tight.”

“Ward? I will. Thanks.” We both crack up at the double entendre.

“Love you, Angie.”

“Love you more, Sula.” I hang up and focus on driving to the train station.

* * *

At the endof the day, Ward is carrying a suitcase and a suit bag as he follows me into the house. “I can’t believe they have to go through my library floor to get to the leak,” he’s still groaning.

“Ward, that’s why you have insurance,” I point out logically.

“It’s not that, Angie. It’s one of the few rooms in the whole place I feel like me.”

That causes me to pause. “Then why do you own it?”

Sheepishly, he shrugs. “To be honest, I don’t know.”

We took a car service to the train station where I was dropped off. Then I was followed home. Ward has heaps of boxes and only a few bags he’s brought into my home. Kicking off my heels, I grab them and gesture for him to follow me upstairs. “That’s a great reason.”

“I think I was rebelling after law school,” he confides.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I had no outlet after my parents died. Buying a ridiculously outrageous condo in Tribeca, completely against everything they taught Carys and me, seemed to be a good way to lash out at them.”

I pause on the stairs and consider his words. “Did it work?”

He barks out a bitter laugh. “No. I use three rooms regularly—four if you include the kitchen.”

“How many does it have?” I climb the last few steps until I reach the top of the landing.

Ward trips over his own feet.

“Ward, will you let me help you carry something? I don’t want you to get hurt.” I hold out my hand for him to hand me something.

“God, I just realized you’ve never been there.” His face is incredulous.

“This thing between us—”

“Love?”