“What’s going on?” he asked.

Then he saw Lauren, without the blue dress, standing beside Owen.

“You brought him?”

“You invited an audience,” Lauren said. “It seemed fair that we should choose who knows the truth.”

Chapter Five: The Man With the Bouquet

Reid placed the flowers on a shelf so sharply that water splashed from the wrapping. He looked at Hassan, at Priya, and finally at Megan, attempting to identify which person had disrupted the evening first.

“This is a private business matter,” he said.

“Then why did you put my marriage on a ticket?” Lauren asked.

His eyes flicked toward the wardrobe cabinet. “I was going to explain.”

“When?”

“Once you saw what I’d built. I knew you’d understand. You’ve always been capable of taking a leap when you stop listening to people who are afraid.”

Owen said nothing. That restraint seemed to irritate Reid, who had prepared for a jealous husband’s anger and appeared uncertain how to proceed without it.

Megan stepped forward. “How much did the guests pay?”

“We can discuss that tomorrow.”

“We’re discussing it now. Hassan needs to know what refunds he’s responsible for.”

Reid made a dismissive motion. “It’s a limited event. Half the attendees are friends and industry contacts. Nobody will be hurt if the format changes.”

“Lauren would have been hurt,” Megan said. “And so would I.”

Reid turned toward his wife with exasperated affection. “Meg, not everything is about us. I’ve been trying to make something sustainable. You told me we couldn’t keep pouring money into restaurant concepts, so I found another direction. People want honesty. They want to hear about second chances.”

“Then start with an honest explanation,” Lauren said. “Tell them you invited me to a date while you told your wife you were at work.”

He flinched as though she’d spoken an obscenity. “You agreed to see me.”

“I did. I agreed to a date. I didn’t agree to be dressed up and presented as proof of a philosophy you’re selling.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It’s exactly that simple,” Owen said quietly. “She’s responsible for agreeing to come. You’re responsible for the audience.”

Reid studied Owen, now aware that the husband was not going to supply a villain’s speech. “What did she tell you about me?” he asked.

“Enough that I consulted a lawyer before tonight,” Owen replied. “Not enough to understand this.”

“You have a lawyer?” Reid looked at Lauren. “You said you were trapped in a marriage where nothing ever changed.”

“Those were my words,” Lauren said. “I regret how I used them. But that doesn’t give you permission to sell them.”

For a moment Reid appeared genuinely wounded. “I thought tonight could be beautiful.”