I didn’t completely comprehend the dance going on between the lawyers right now, but a part of me understood it was a game of chicken. We were heading for a collision, both hoping the other would bail before impact. “They won’t.”

Once my father sank his teeth into something, he didn’t let go. Not even if it meant his destruction.

“You might be surprised. Keisha can be pretty convincing.”

I didn’t doubt it. Mason’s friend was a powerhouse. But my father had a cruel streak that seemed to sustain him through anything. Instead of arguing, I stayed quiet, watching the fields and forests whiz by. “Thanks for coming with me.”

“I wouldn’t let you face this alone.”

Of course, he wouldn’t. Because Mason was a good man. The best. And that knowledge made my chest ache.

“I appreciate it.”

His hands tightened on the wheel. “Stop acting like I’m a stranger. We’re friends. Hell, even though this isn’t the way people usually go about this kind of thing, we’re married.”

The hint of anger in his voice surprised me. I’d never heard it before. And as I took that in, I realized what I was doing. Pushing him away, back into the box of cordial colleagues. Back into what was safe. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

“You don’t have to be sorry, just quit it.”

I opted for silence instead. Maybe if I kept my mouth closed, I’d stop messing everything up. Getting too close, pushing too far away. Nothing felt right.

I let myself zone out, trying to think of anything but what was to come or the man sitting next to me. Until those fields and forests changed to neighborhoods and then a town. Aspen Valley was larger than Sutter Lake, some big-box stores on the outskirts, and a vibrant central area. We passed a courthouse I hoped we’d never have to set foot in. Restaurants and shops. A movie theater.

Mason’s GPS directed him to a brick building a few blocks off the main drag. It was picturesque, the kind of place that spoke of history. He pulled into a parking spot and shut off his SUV, turning to me. He held out a hand. “We’re a team, right?”

I looked at his hand as if it had claws that could puncture and wound. But laid mine on top of his. “A team.”

He wrapped his fingers around mine, squeezing. “We’ll get through this.”

I swallowed, trying to clear my throat. “Thank you.” I held up my free hand before he could argue. “Just let me say it. It makes me feel better.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up. “If it makes you feel better, say it to your heart’s content.”

“I’m gonna say it just to get on your nerves.”

“You wouldn’t.”

I arched a brow. “Try me.”