Chapter 17. Not My Choice

The woman was wearing a green dress, so clinging to her skin that Anna compared her to a snake. It was as if the clothes were a kind of second skin. The woman approached her, and Anna realized that they were not the same height. The woman was taller than her. The woman began to walk around Anna, as if Anna were in a circle, as if assessing her, and then sipped her drink, without taking her eyes off Anna's body, which highlighted her red-painted nails, and turned to the two men.

  “I think Adam made a good choice. She's pretty. What do you think, Ryan?”

  Ryan also approached, but remained with his glass in one hand and the other in his trouser pocket.

  “It wasn't my choice. It was Allister.” Adam said indignantly.

  “I don't see anything special about her. Not enough to justify marriage.” Ryan said.

  “Don't be mean, Ryan!” The woman said laughing. “Adam is only 22 and has never spent much time with the other...”

  “