ELISE

The restaurant Victoria chose was the kind of place where a salad cost fifty dollars and the waiters spoke in hushed, reverent tones. She was already seated when I arrived, looking perfect in a cream-colored dress that probably cost more than my monthly rent used to.

"Elise! You came!" She stood to air-kiss both my cheeks like we were old friends. "I'm so glad. Please, sit."

I slid into the chair across from her, hyperaware of the wire Sebastian had insisted I wear. It was tiny, hidden ...