Chapters 17-21 Summary

Chapter 17. Michael does well playing cards against Josh, Byron, and Tom. During play, Michael picks up little bits of information about Laura, including the fact that she sold her wedding ring from Peter to help start Pretenses. He also learns about the coins each woman found over the past two years. When Michael finally makes his way home late that night, he finds Laura drunk and waiting for him. Laura has lost some of her inhibitions with the alcohol and Michael finds himself enjoying completely her actions.

Chapter 18. Laura wakes the next morning with a terrible hangover. As she leaves Michael's, she runs into him on the stairs outside his apartment. Michael gives her advice on how to deal with the hangover. When Laura expresses regret at spending the entire night, Michael becomes annoyed and sends her away quickly. That night...