The Monster I Once Loved

the Hamptons beach club, a gl

him, a blur of familiar

aughing at something on

ease, a prickling sensatio

ly raced, for no

a

nbidden, sharp, pierc

uptly, muttering somet

surprised, t

ou going? The Harr

kly through the crowd, his un

o get back

ed to s

, a frown marring h

t the auction, after the "accident," that Alex

to the penthouse. Their w

was falling

hers. He

attan, his knuckles whi

nt of the penthouse building

te elevator up, h

out as he burst

le

e was still,

he rooms, his calls

ay

ad tightened

me she'd answered hi

es, or that dead, em

face in the hospital, the wa

her laughter like wind chimes

o dismissiv

logize. He'd make it

he sa

f the clos

art suppl

ovels she l

hem from Brooklyn, fa

e penthouse, l

d sharp, clawe

n't. She

d him. D

ack, his legs

ng, shrill a

s probably Tori, won

e sofa, his hea

zed. He igno

ed, then the sound

in, her express

s? Leaving Tori alone at the party? Yo

the room, h

ally had the good sense to m