Jordie wasn't careful enough.

Elliot found out about Jordie's renewed friendship with Romana the morning she was meant to leave for London.

Unlike their other arguments before this one, it was quick. Like all the rest, it was cold and brutal, and this time, Jordie didn't yield.

"I was clear."

Jordie checked her handbag for the necessary items, disregarding his presence beyond the impulse to keep him in her peripheral vision.

"I heard you, and I told you I don't take orders from you."

"You'd risk our family on a flight of fancy? I thought I knew you better than that."

"Men risk it all for much less. She's my friend." She believed herself less the more she was forced to repeat the lacking defense. Romana was her friend, yes, but the possibility existed that she could be so much more.

"You know better."

"I know what I want, and I choose us. I choose this friendship. I choose not to be alone or be the image of the perfect woman you're looking for. I'm sorry you're disappointed."

"I'm warning you."

"Save your warnings, Elliot. Or at least stop pretending they have anything to do with what's best for me and not your reputation. I'm not a trophy for you to show off and set on a shelf when I'm no use to you."

Elliot watched her gather her hat and gloves in mute disbelief.

"You should know, Romana and I are going to do some last-minute shopping at Selfridges. Romana hasn't stopped talking about the Christmas display for a week and the children are eager to meet St. Nicholas. I'm picking up your gift," she added as a peace offering.

He sucked his teeth. He must have been craving one of his cigars as much as she was longing for a cigarette.

"You used to be so different. Where's the decorous, retiring girl I fell in love with?"

"She grew up. That's what girls do, grow into women unwilling to settle for scraps."

"I gave you a home!"

Jordie snapped, "You gave me a jail! You gave me hell. I loved you and all you've done is try to mold me into some model wife I'm not. Look at me, Elliot. Love me, not your memory of me."

"At least I recognize the memory of you." That was the only person Jordie had known how to be until she'd learned differently. Funny how everything in the world (even the world) was allowed to change yet women were expected to remain forever young and innocent. Gullible. Pliable. Naïve.

"I'll be gone all day."

Elliot poured himself a morning tipple. It hadn't gone ten yet. "Good. I won't be home for dinner."

"Neither will we."