Elissa couldn’t help butugh at how self–assured he looked.


    How had she never noticed before how much of a double standard Frank


    could have?


    Still, with only four days left before the divorce would be finalized, she didn’t bother arguing. She slipped into the polite, insincere tone she always used with the Murphys, her expression earnest but her words. hollow.


    “Don’t overthink it. There’s nothing going on between me and Cliff.”


    ssic line for dealing with a cheating ex, she thought–she’d finally mastered it.


    Frank’s gaze softened. He ruffled her hair like she was a little kid. “Of course I believe you,” he said gently.


    He’d always soothed her like this, for years. Back when she and Rowan used to fight, and none of Rowan’s friends dared take her side, only Frank. would step in and speak up for her.


    Elissa started the car, still searching for a good excuse to get away, when her phone suddenly rang.


    Cliff’s name shed on the screen.


    Frank’s eyes darted to her. Elissa, with nothing to hide, answered the call and switched it to the car’s Bluetooth.


    Cliff’s voice filled the car, reaching both of them at once.


    “Elissa, dinner at the usual spot. Can you make it by seven?”


    “I’ll be there,” she said, relieved for the easy out.


    Cliff chuckled, picking up on her quick response. “Plus–ones are wee. If Tanya Foster’s free, bring her along.”


    Elissa wasn’t sure when Tanya would be off work tonight, so she was


    09.46


    Chapter


    about to ask when Frank spoke up, his voice cool and deliberate. “Mr. Riley, I’ll be joining Elissa tonight.”


    Cliff had met Frank before, and there was no mistaking his voice. All that. remained in Cliff’s tone was polite civility. “Of course, you’re more than wee.”


    When the call ended, Elissa nced at Frank. “You’re reallying?”


    “Why wouldn’t I?”


    He frowned slightly. “Worried your old college buddy might feel awkward seeing me there?”


    Men know men, after all. Frank hadn’t missed the look Cliff had given. Elissa in the parking lotst time–a look that was anything but friendly.


    Elissa pretended not to notice his pointed remark, her smile smooth and unbothered. “I’m just worried you’ll be ufortable.”


    “I’ll be fine.”


    Frank clearly wasn’t giving it much thought.


    Elissa dropped the subject and drove straight to the restaurant.


    By the time they arrived, Cliff and the others were already gathered in a


    private room.


    As Elissa pushed open the door, the atmosphere inside immediately


    tensed.


    It wasn’t because of her, but because of Frank–standing at her side, posture just a bit too possessive, as if making a im.


    Marcia was caughtpletely off guard.


    She’d called Frank earlier to ask if he was free tonight. The man who’d told her he was busy was now standing right here.


    Frank paused at the doorway, frowning at Elissa. “You didn’t say this was a work dinner with your clinic colleagues.”


    <i>2/3 </i>


    094


    “If there’s nothing going on between me and Cliff, then of course the


    dinner includes all my coworkers,” Elissa replied, her face perfectly calm. She’d warned him.


    A girl with a slow reaction finally piped up, “Elissa, you know Marcia’s boyfriend?”


    “No.”


    Elissa didn’t miss the sh of irritation in Marcia’s eyes. Her voice was steady, neither loud nor soft. “He’s-”


    “They know each other, sure. Elissa’s the younger sister of Frank’s friend,” Marcia cut in quickly, crossing the room with a bright smile and slipping her arm through Frank’s. “Isn’t that right, Frank?”


    Frank stiffened, not saying anything, but subtly distancing himself from


    Elissa.


    The others nodded, as if everything suddenly made sense.


    Cliff, sitting at the head of the table, waved her over. “Elissa,e sit–l saved you a spot.”