Envy by Sandra Brown

worked, and friends whose careers were in other areas entirely, including an anesthesiologist and her husband who taught chemistry at NYU, a stockbroker, and a movie producer who had turned one of the books Maris had edited into a gripping feature film.
    Then the crowd parted to reveal Daniel. He was
    #seated with one hand resting on the engraved ####133
    silver head of his cane while the other was saluting her with a glass of champagne.
    "Dad!"
    "Anniversary wishes a few weeks early, sweetheart."
    "I can't believe you were in on this!" She bent down to kiss his cheek, which glowed with a champagne flush. "You gave nothing away this morning."
    "Which was hard, considering the topic of our conversation." His meaningful look reminded her of the marital concerns she had shared with him.
    Feeling her own cheeks grow warm with embarrassment, she said softly, "This explains why Noah has been distracted lately. I feel like a fool now."
    "Don't," Daniel ordered, his brows lowering sternly. "A fool is someone who ignores warning signs."
    She kissed him again quickly before being pulled away to mingle. Noah had done an outstanding job, not only of putting over the surprise, but of planning a wonderful party. The chef of her favorite restaurant had prepared the food and was on hand to see that it was properly served.
    Champagne was poured liberally. The music got louder as the evening progressed, and, although it was a weeknight, guests stayed late. Eventually, however, they said their good nights.
    Daniel was the last to leave. "Age has its benefits," he told Maris and Noah at the door. "Not many, mind you, but a few. One is that you can get tipsy on a weeknight and sleep late in the morning because there's nowhere you absolutely must be."
    Maris hugged him exuberantly. "I love you, Dad. And I learn something new about you every day."
    "For instance?"
    "That you're damn good at keeping secrets."
    "Watch your language, young lady, or I'll have Maxine wash your mouth out with soap."
    "It wouldn't be for the first time," she said with a laugh. After another hug, she asked Daniel if he could manage the stairs all right.
    "I got up here, didn't I?" he growled querulously.
    "Sorry I asked." Even so, she motioned for Noah to accompany Daniel down. "Is a car waiting to take him home?"
    ###"It's at the curb," Noah ########135
    assured her. "I've already checked."
    "Good. Dad, remember I'll have my cell phone with me in Georgia. I told Maxine to call--was
    "And she will, the old busybody. Get me out of here, Noah. Please. Before Maris decides I'm ready for adult diapers."
    Noah guided him down the hallway toward the staircase. "I'll be right back, darling," he called to Maris. "I haven't given you your present yet."
    "There's more?"
    "Just wait. And no snooping!"
    Now that the apartment was empty of guests, she could see it well for the first time. Tall windows on the far wall of the living room overlooked the rooftop garden on the next building. The "stuff" was nice, but not as pricy as the "locksmith" had implied. There were pictures on the walls, and an area rug beneath the seating arrangement of chairs and sofas, but the emphasis was on functionality and comfort.
    The galley kitchen was narrow, even by New York standards. Off the living room, a closed door led to what she assumed was a bedroom. She was making her way toward that door when hands seized her around the waist.
    "I thought I told you not to snoop," Noah said, nuzzling her ear.
    "I didn't know that I was. When are you going to tell me why you leased this apartment?"
    "In good time. Be patient."
    "Is my present behind door number one?"
    "Let's take a look." He walked her toward the door. "You may open it now."
    The room was a small cubicle, but a generous window made it appear larger. It was furnished with a desk, a leather swivel chair, and shelves only partially filled with books. It was further equipped with a telephone, a computer and printer, and a fax machine. A yellow legal