“We’re friends, Lina,” he said after she was sitting at the table with a mug of steaming coffee. “You have nothing to feel guilty about, okay?”

She looked into his eyes and felt a fluttering in her stomach. “I’m not sure if that’s how I feel about you.”

“I’m talking to you as a therapist right now. The only relationship you should be focused on is the one with your husband. You’re not emotionally available for more than a friendship with me.”

“You told me to find you if I left him.”

“I know.” He touched the side of her face. “And I meant what I said to you that night.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that until you’re divorced or on your way to being divorced, we shouldn’t take this further. And that’s me speaking as a doctor, not a man.”

She knew he was right, but the thought of being alone caused a suffocating anxiety in her chest. “Does that mean I can’t call you?”

“You can call me as much as you like. This is going to be a difficult time for you and your children. I’ll be here as much as you need me, but I want you to know you don’t need a man, even if that realization ultimately results in the conclusion you don’t want me.”

Chapter 30

30

As Lina pulled into her garage, she felt like the time with Nick was almost a dream, and she was now waking up to her real life. It was almost 11:00 a.m., and when she entered the kitchen it looked untouched, like the house was still sleeping.

She set down her bag and opened all the blinds before making her way upstairs. When she entered the master bedroom, she heard the sound of water running in the bathroom. The room was in a state of upheaval, with bags open and partially packed. She felt tears in her eyes as she realized what it meant. She approached the bathroom and saw Phil in the shower, his back to her as he stood under the spray of water, a plastic bag wrapped around his right arm.

“What’s that?” she asked.

He turned at the sound of her voice. Even through the water-spattered glass she could see the circles under his eyes. “Did you fuck him?”

“No!” She crossed her arms over her chest.

He turned his back to her. “I’ll be out by tonight.”

“Phil—”

“The kids will be back this afternoon. Mike and Jeanie had them overnight. We can tell them then.”

“Why didn’t you call Adele?”

“Because I called my brother.”