t the winds

erable night on th

mped, a famili

knuckles white on

rang, loud

e flashed o

se, it

is," Marcus said.

voice, high and pan

down! I' m on some deserted roa

d' s face

. For

to the shoulder. Cars w

Uber. I have to g

' t loo

ot worse. I

ing well. It' s... it'

back seat, found

sn' t far back. Or just wait

door. Cold r

as g

of his car disappea

e. Alone.

the nin

nth go

ace as I finally got out of the c

ed to rip it

as a hot kni

voice, smooth and cru

ority reunion. Alpha Phi

corne

ame out of it. A test. If Marcus leaves you for me, at nine critical moments, yo

s st

desp

, Marcus would ch

lent, stupid agreeme

d in my head. "Nine

e

never l

me for th

t dead, but I mana

ork apartment was a blur o

riage w

ed it all, righ

. Marcus was her loyal puppy, the rich

t art student she barely noticed

anted a "rebellious ph

arcus. He wa

d I was a safe, non-threatening

ed him t

rcus. She' ll be goo

' t even wanted to ask me

Europe with her musician, leavin

consolat

s heart, his obsessio

ust con

ree to Izzy'

y, foolish

faced with a clear choice,

ose

sary. Per Se. Mid-dinner, Izzy

s in the Hamptons with Izzy at a polo match. She faked a tw

. He stayed for ten minutes. An "unavoidable busine

. Each one

y birthday to comfort Izzy over a lost earring. Sidin

ing me sick and alon

stubborn, hopeful th

, drop by drop, wit

nk was

ivorce pape

ound after the fifth abandonmen

ight. Or maybe ju

he apartment, s

on the mahogany

eady there. Bold and

ed his. Mar

g, my phone buz

was syru

you. A little surprise joint investment. For that little art gallery you' ve alwa

mach c

fice around noon to sign some papers for it. You s

hat she

her vic

d not

hung

we

ee it. The

rne Legacy Properties w

tired but also... eage

radiant,

stack of

ed at Marcus, tapping the pile. "For Ellie'

t stack. I saw the edge of th

ely glance

. "Sign her

sig

orne, scrawled care

Izzy, who promised him this

t even lo

papers out from the stack wit

them ou

ious smile play

e. Your ninth goodby

m. My hand

a vast, cold emptiness w

d, my voice even. "You' v

d confused f

clear? Is the g

ight, tinkling sound t

some head about it, Marc

and wal

pers were hea

ht of my