“Oh, yeah. I’m getting my eyes tested.”

“Good idea. I used to split up the trinity.”

Jess looked confused.

“All the check-ups. Doctor, dentist and optometrist. It’s important to look after yourself.”

“I need to find a new doctor,” Jess said pointedly. “Your caring daughter is insisting Leo comes home at 6:00. By then it’s cold and dark. Can you bring him home to me instead of doing this BS transfer in the park?”

She doesn’t get to set the boundaries. Libby’s voice rang loud and clear. Karen opened her mouth to say, “I’m sorry,” but she noticed the fine lines of strain and the black shadows under Jess’s eyes. Images of Linda’s alcohol-ravaged face were followed by Lisa’s deathly pallor. A weight pressed on her chest. This situation was already difficult enough without it spiraling further out of control. At least if she returned Leo to the house she could look for tell-tale signs of Jess’s drinking. Karen owed Jess that care and concern. Owed it to Leo.

“I can do that.”

Jess’s eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t think you’d agree.”

“It’s my one concession. Please don’t ask for any more.” Karen lifted Leo out of the swing.

“I never told Libby about your mother,” Jess said abruptly.

Karen wondered at the fact Jess felt honor bound to keep that secret for all these years yet she justified sleeping with Nick to have Leo.

Jess kissed Leo’s head. “I won’t tell Libby about this either.”

“Thank you.”

Karen added yet another secret to a lifelong pile.

Alice pulled up outside the Waxmans’. Usually, Harry dropped Holly off at Pelican House, giving Alice a cursory wave from the car as Holly jumped out. Now the weather was improving, Alice wanted to take Holly to the silt jetties. It didn’t make sense for Harry to schlep all the way out there so she’d offered to collect her. As Alice turned off the ignition, her phone beeped.

She checked the message and her heart swooped into overdrive, racing heat all over her.

Hi, Alice, I know your first reaction will be to delete this but I’d love it if we could talk and I could explain.

Months had passed since Tim went silent on her, but she still remembered the heady excitement she’d gotten just from anticipating his calls, let alone the electrifying connection they’d shared. The conversations that lasted hours. The way his voice made her go weak at the knees and took her a good way down the path toward an orgasm. Despite all the men she’d spoken to and met since, none had come close to generating the same feelings Tim could create with one text.