That wasn’t an easy question to answer. So much was going on and hanging between us, and everything we needed to talk about I wasn’t ready for. “Charlie’s on a feeding tube,” I said finally, raising my gaze to the blue, cloudless sky. The color was much like Reece’s eyes. “He hated being on that before, so they have had to restrain him, and it’s so hard to see him like that.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Genuine sympathy radiated from his voice.

I nodded. “The last time he wouldn’t eat, he ended up having a seizure.”

“I remember that,” he said quietly.

Surprised, I looked at him. “You do?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I remember you talking about it, and I know how close you came to losing him.”

Pain rose as I leaned back in the chair. “I’m so afraid.”

“For Charlie?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, and I bit down on my lip as he reached between us, curving his hand around my arm. It felt like my heart doubled in size. “I’m afraid I’m going to lose him. I really am.”

He squeezed my arm gently. “I wish there was something I could say.”

“I know.” I swallowed the knot in my throat.

His gaze held mine for a moment and then he moved his hand. I wanted to climb into his lap and wrap myself around him like an octopus, but knew that probably wouldn’t be the greatest idea. “I want to ask you something again. I’m hoping you’ll answer differently than before.”

Oh God, I wasn’t sure I was ready for any of this. “Okay?”

“Why didn’t you tell me what was happening at your place, Roxy?”

At first, I didn’t know how to answer that question. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want anyone to think I was crazy for believing in ghosts or making it up, looking for attention. I mean, how many women come to the office with fears they’re being stalked and it gets written off? That’s the kind of fucked-­up misogynistic crap that happens.”

Reece shook his head. “Not when I take the call.”

“You’re different,” I pointed out, unfolding my legs. The cement was cold under my bare feet.

“Then why didn’t you say anything?”

I chewed on my lower lip as I gripped the arms of the chair. “I really didn’t know what was happening, and when I found my . . . my stuff in the dishwasher, I just didn’t think it was right to bring it up then when . . .” Unable to sit, I stood and walked to the railing. “I mean, you know what was happening.”