Cheater

64. Derek

Stepping into the coffee shop, I immediately catch her scent. Daisy by Marc Jacobs. She wore it the night we met. I smelled it in the bedroom in that rowhouse when I visited her there that night while Hallman was gone. She’s got her back to me. She’s reading a book. She has soup in front of her. A bag that probably contains a chocolate éclair. Her briefcase is on the floor. She’s in a business suit.

I wave at Mr. Nguyen and move to her table in the corner. She looks up from her book and startles.

“Chloe,” I greet.

Her eyes bounce from the page to my face.

“You were looking for me yesterday?” I ask.