“You’re right. I can’t make you go, but I am asking you as a member of this family and as a favor to me, to go.”

“No.” Katie crossed her arms over her chest. “Megan represents everything that’s wrong with this society, and I refuse to celebrate her.”

Lina had no idea what she was talking about and was too tired to engage her. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

“Now will you take me to Emma’s?”

“No. I’m not taking you to Emma’s. Invite Emma to come here. There’s going to be plenty of food and music.”

“Emma doesn’t want to celebrate Megan either! Why are you being so unreasonable? Dr. Drayton would never make me go.”

“You don’t have to attend, but you’re not leaving this house, Katie.”

7

Lina tossed the magazine onto the side table for the third time in as many minutes and then, seconds later, picked it up again and began flipping through it. She was nervous and she hated it. All day she’d been recalling the flash of attraction she saw in Dr. Drayton’s eyes at Megan’s graduation, and as a result she’d spent a little more time on her appearance, carefully choosing the sleeveless crème linen dress she was wearing. It wasn’t that she liked him in any inappropriate way, but knowing he appreciated the way she looked was a welcome stroke to her ego, and she feared the knowledge might make her less comfortable around him.

The apprehension dissolved as soon as he stepped out into the waiting room beside Katie, replaced by a rush of warmth and the realization that she’d missed talking to him. He’d been away for two weeks—on a vacation, she assumed, based on his tan—so they’d gone an extra week between appointments.

“Have you been lounging on a beach?” Lina asked as she walked towards the couch in his office.

“Close. I was sailing.”

“That sounds relaxing. You own a boat?”

“We rented a fifty footer in St. Croix and sailed to different islands.” He lowered himself into the chair across from her position on the couch. “It was fantastic.”

“Wow, I bet. Did you rent a crew too?”

“No, but you certainly can. Do you like boats?”

“I do.” She smiled. “But only as a passenger. You must be experienced if you didn’t need a crew.”

“I grew up sailing.” He leaned back in the chair and casually crossed one leg over the other.

She realized how little she actually knew about him, which felt strange considering how much he knew about her. “Was the nephew graduating from your side or your wife’s?”

“I don’t have a wife.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just assumed.”

“That’s okay.”

“I just thought—didn’t I hear you mention a son to Katie?”

“You did. You don’t have to be married to have children.”

“I know.” She blushed.

“I’m teasing you, Lina.” He smiled. “I’m divorced.”

The use of her first name made the exchange feel more personal, and she knew the dynamics of their relationship had changed over the past two weeks. “It’s not nice to tease me. I blush too easily.”