“Nice set of wheels,” Philip says, coming up behind me, nuzzling me on the neck with his scruffy beard.
“Thank goodness my publisher is footing the bill and not me.” I whirl around and wrap Philip in my arms. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“You’ll be back home soon. It’s one of the sacrifices of a writer’s life.” The way he says sacrificesjostles me out of his arms. I look up into his blue eyes, grabbing his hand in mine. “Is something wrong, Philip?”
“Mmm?” He shakes his head. “No. Why?”
“You sound—” I shrug. “I don’t know…different?”
A headshake. “Everything’s fine.”
I look to where a copy of my book lay closed on the marble countertop. I recall my inscription to Philip: To my muse,with all my heart. C.
I look up at Philip and smile encouragingly.
A car horn blares.
“You better get going,” Philip says.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”