Chapter 2

With a yelp, my hand flies to my chest, my heart slamming so loudly I can hear it in my ears. I press PAUSE and call, “Lee? You back already?”

I thought he was going to stay out late, and maybe even spend the night with Debora. He wouldn’t bring her here; he never hangs out with any of his girlfriends in our home. Not because we’re two sloppy bachelors living in filth—on the contrary, our apartment is always meticulously clean—but because he claims he prefers it that way. That this is ourhome—we’ve spent so much time and attention decorating it and making it perfect for the two of us—and he doesn’t want just anyone in our space.

I get no answer to my question, just a grunt. I scrunch my eyebrows at the unexpected sound; Lee is nota grunter. He’s happy and talkative and easy-going, and even if he’s had a fight with whatever girlfriend he’s with at the moment, he never takes it out on me. Something must have happened.

“Are you all right?” I ask.