Page 85 of Don't Tell

"That's — that's longer than most people offer."

"Most people are not offering you what I'm offering."

I sit with it and ask him about contracts. He walks me through the fees and terms.

I drink the second half of my coffee.

"I'd like to sign."

He smiles. "I'm delighted. The paperwork will be this week. We'll have the contract in your inbox by Thursday. You'll have more time to read it. I’d like you to have a lawyer look at it. I have one I can recommend, but I would prefer you choose your own."

"Okay." I take a breath. "Before I sign, I'd like you to come to dinner at our place. I'd like you to meet my boyfriend before anything is final."

"Of course. Text me the details."

"I will."

He shakes my hand.

His hand is warm. His grip is firm. He thanks me again, puts the leather folder under his arm, and leaves the café before I do.

I sit at the table with the empty cup and the warm thing in my chest.

It takes me a second to name it.

Hope.

Vivienne calls me from the kitchen at 3:00 p.m.

I had not planned to stop by. She had called a couple of days ago and asked me to come for tea when I had a chance. I have the afternoon free because the meeting ended an hour earlier than I thought it would.

I drive to her house.

She is in her garden area when I pull up. She is in a wide-brimmed hat and gardening gloves. She stands up when she sees me walking up to her.

She kisses me on both cheeks. "I'm so glad you came."

"Thank you for having me."

"Tea?"

"Please."

We have tea in the small sunroom off the kitchen. The light is low and gold. She asks me about the move. I tell her about the marble island, the six-burner stove, and the boxes I have not unpacked. She laughs at the boxes. She tells me she had boxes for a year when she moved into Henry's house. She asks about my morning.

I tell her about the meeting, just some small details but not all of it — the roster, the year, and the patience.

She listens and asks me one or two questions that are more precise than I was expecting. "Has he given you the names of his current artists? Have you spoken to any of them? Do you have a lawyer?"

I tell her I have a lawyer. Cade's lawyer recommended one for me last week. Her name is Naomi.

She nods and is quiet for a moment.

Then she stands up.

"Stay."

She goes into the next room and comes back with a small velvet box. She sits down across from me and puts the box on the table between us. She opens it.