Page 74 of Lucky Night

What about her? Will she suffer if Tom leaves her? She doesn’t seem concerned by the prospect. Which makes sense. Tom’s such a zero.

Your turn, he says. Tell me something you love about Tommy boy.

She’s sitting cross-legged on the sofa. He’s an amazing cook, she says.

Good man. What’s something you hate?

He lost half of our money in crypto.

Beg pardon?

She nods.

He is motionless. Staring at her. You’re joking, he says.

I wish I were.

He gets up and walks to the window. Walks back.

Please tell me you’re joking.

I can’t, she says. I’m not.

Okay. He’s frowning, raking his fingers through his hair, trying to work this out. Okay. But when you say half ofourmoney, youmean your joint savings, right, not your money, what you earned from your—

Everything, she says. Including the royalties from my first book.

What thefuck? he cries. What the fuck was he thinking?

He thought he was setting us up for life, she says.

He’s pacing the room, beside himself. He stops, struck by a horrible thought.

This is why you took all the toiletries! You’re broke!

No! She laughs. Honestly, it’s not that bad.

She’s laughing! Sitting there so placidly.

Why am I the one freaking out here? he demands. How can you be so calm?

I wasn’t at the time, trust me. But it was a while ago, after the first big crypto crash. Or maybe the second. It’s hard to keep track. Anyway, I got overit.

You were supposed to be buying that house on Mountainview, he says, remembering. The historic place. Everybody was talking about it. Then you didn’t.

We’re staying on Tuxedo for now. I don’t mind—I love our house. And we have plenty of money, especially with the final book coming out, and the movie stuff. Plus we have a financial adviser now, so…we’re fine.

You never told me, he says. You never said a word.

Why wouldI?

That stops him. He stands before her, head cocked.

Why would you, he repeats. Interesting. So, fair to say I’m not the only one of us who leaves my shit at the door?

She rolls her eyes and goes over to the nightstand. She reaches for his phone, then changes her mind and veers to the window.

Did he do it on purpose? he asks.

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