Chapter 209

• Back in the car, I cranked the volume on some classic rock and drove too fast to the grocery store. Adrenaline coursed through me. A huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Even if my brain and logical reasoning had told me Nicole had to be bullshitting, there was nothing better than having that sliver of uncertainty removed.
• I decided to make lunch with Rita about luxury. She liked to eat light. She loved brunch. I got a hundred grams of Petrossian caviar, some excellent Scottish smoked salmon, good potato chips, and creme fraiche. Then I went home and made blinis and prepared the traditional caviar accompaniments. I put a bottle of Bollinger R.D. on ice and waited for Rita to arrive.
• She pulled up to the house shortly after noon. I greeted her at the door with a glass of Champagne. She took it, snaked the hand with the glass in it around my neck, and pulled me in for a kiss.