MARION

My phone buzzed on the table. I ignored it at first; nothing was more important than the way Demetria licked the corner of her lip after finishing a bite of yellowtail sashimi. But the buzzing didn’t stop.

With a sigh, I reached for it. One glance at the screen, and my jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

Paula.

Of all the people. Of all the moments.

Demetria glanced at me, curiosity flickering across her face. I turned the phone face down, but the damage was done. The name had already ...