through the large window of Everleigh's apartment. Leo was as

p crimson liquid swirling in the glass. She sto

seared into her mind. He had looked genuinely stunned,

a room she tried to keep permanently sea

rs. To a night just like this o

ash

a married couple. She had been so full of a nai

box of a restaurant overlooking Columbus Circle. It was the kind of plac

silk dress he'd once said he liked, her hair swept up to

ation. The maitre d' led her to the best table in the house, a se

tiny bubbles rise, imagining his surprise, the

and went. The table acro

r stomach. She excused herself and called his cell phone from

ient. "I'm busy, Everleigh.

f the confidence she'd felt an hou

voice. A woman's voice, soft and breathy. "Bri

-renowned ballerina. His childhood

elt like it had dro

a sigh of exasperation. "I know. I'll ha

hun

rrounded by the murmur of happy couples and celebratory groups. The co

y. The waiter approached, his smile professi

might crack her face. "My companion has been u

with her head held high. She didn't let the tears fall until she was in t

alled home was dark and silen

delivered by a silent Jamey. It was the bag she had pointed out in a magazine

television for noise. An entertainment news c

Ballerina Autumn Hendrick

utumn, looking fragile and beautiful even in her distre

e gently placed her in the back of his car, his movements full of a

b. He had forgotten her birthday. He had aba

he room into darkness. She curled up on th

rtfolio. The "Mrs. Mckinney" title was a role sh

e ran to. Autumn was

Flash

wine. The memory no longer brought

counter. It was a text f

the best shark in the city. Says

ped back a s

s. Bo

The pain of the past was a fire that had forg

she could not afford to be weak.