Page 19 of The Liar's Wife

“What about you?” Kat asked, meeting my eye in the mirror again as Toshia unclipped the next layer of her hair. “What do you do…Palmer?” She said my name as though it was strange and foreign, and I couldn’t help wondering again if she knew about me. Perhaps she did know who I was. My heart thudded in my chest as I became fearful I’d made a mistake going there. Following her. What if she managed to tip Ben off? What if they became sneakier with their affair?

“I do interior design and event planning with my best friend. We’re working on opening our own firm. That’s actually why I’m in town today, for work. I had to meet with aclient here in Crestview, and he pushed our meeting back by a few hours. I figured rather than going back to the office and having to come back this afternoon, I’d just find something to do here in town.”

“Event planning? Weddings and stuff?” Toshia asked. “My baby cousin’s getting married next year. I’ll have to send her your way.”

“Oh, yeah, I’d love that. We do weddings, corporate parties, anniversaries, birthday parties, and everything in between. Weddings are my favorite.” I beamed at her.

“Are you married?” Toshia asked, and I met Kat’s pitiful gaze in the mirror once more.

“Yes. I am.” I drew my words out, each syllable carrying weight.

“How long? What’s his name?” Toshia asked, bobbing her head side to side, blissfully unaware of the tension between her clients.

“Just six months—” I froze as my phone began vibrating in my pocket. Did I detect a smile on Kat’s lips? “Excuse me, I just have to take this.” I stared at the screen with a sinking feeling. It was Ben. I considered not answering, but I’d never forgive myself if something had happened to Gray.

“Hello?” I asked, stepping away from the seat and out of the building in an instant.

“Where are you?”he asked.

“I’m…” There was no point in lying. Not if she’d already told him I was here, which is what I suspected. “I’m in Crestview.”

His voice was shaking. “Crestview? Why?”

“I’m meeting with a client.”Keep your story straight, Palmer.“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Someone tried to break into the apartment, Palmer.Someone tried to break through the door. You need to get home.”

His words sent ice through my veins. It was the absolute last thing I expected. “Wait…what?”

“Someone just tried to break into the apartment. I was in the bathroom giving Gray a bath. He’d had a blow out. Next thing I know, I hear someone beating on the door. I yelled ‘Hang on!’ but they just kept banging and banging. Then, it was like I could…I could hear wood splitting. I thought they were going to kill us. I just got so worried about what to do. I had no plan, no weapons…”

“Ben…calm down.” I pulled my keys from my purse, running across the street. “You aren’t making any sense. Why would someone want to break in? Did they get in? Did they break the door?”

“No. No. We’re fine. Everything’s fine, and they’re gone. I wrapped Gray in a towel and ran into the living room, but before I could check who it was, they were gone. They must’ve had a crowbar or something. The wood trim by the lock is broken.”

“It’s the middle of the day. How is that even possible? Why would they try to break in midday?” We lived in a safe area. I’d never heard of any break-ins on our block, let alone in our building.

“I guess they assumed no one was home. I have no idea. Can you just get home please?” His voice was trembling as he spoke, and I could hear Gray crying in the background.

His cries brought me crashing into reality, suddenly terrified for his safety. What if they came back? What if I didn’t make it in time? “Yes, of course. I’m on my way, okay? Oh my God. I just…I can’t believe this. Call the police, Ben. Call the police, okay?”

“I will…just get home, okay? Please,” he begged.

“I will. I’m on my way now.” I ended the call and tossed my phone into the passenger’s seat, trying and failing to get the key into the ignition thanks to my trembling fingers.

For the moment, Kat was forgotten. Nothing in the world mattered as much as getting home to protect my child. I’d do anything to protect him—no matter the enemy.

Chapter Eleven

Thirty minutes later, I arrived at the apartment. The door appeared to be in perfect shape, no damage, no dents. I pushed open the door, surprised to see it wasn’t locked, and walked into my apartment. Gray was asleep in a bassinet in the middle of the room, and Ben was on the phone, leaning against the kitchen island.

I hurried to the bassinet, patting Gray’s tummy gently. He cooed up at me, kicking his feet in the air, blissfully unaware that anything was wrong. Oh, to be that innocent again.

“Yeah, okay. Okay, thanks,” Ben said, keeping his voice soft and low. “Sure thing. Okay. Bye.” He hung up the phone, and I stared at him, unsure of what to say.

“Was that the police?”

“The super,” he said, giving his head a sharp jerk.