"I'm sorry," Dani said. "I just couldn't listen to them anymore, Brynn. Maybe another time when I'm less tired."

"I completely understand. It's a lot to take in."

"Steve and I are going to drive back to Carmel from here," Dani said. "I'd love for you to follow us, but I know that you still have your things at the house. I can't go back there. I can't stand being in her home for one more minute. But we can wait in the car outside while you get your bag."

"It's fine. You and Steve should leave from here. I have some loose ends to tie up."

Steve cleared his throat. "Kade, do you want to walk downstairs with me? We can get the cars, give the women a minute."

"Sure," Kade said, as they left the waiting room.

"You are coming back tonight, right?" Dani asked, a question in her eyes. "Or is there someone else you want to spend time with? Kade did save our lives, and you two seem like you've gotten close."

"We've gotten close, and we've also gotten further apart. Our mother played a part in his father's murder. Even if she didn't pull the trigger, she also didn't go to the police and turn herself in or tell anyone that Max killed Kade's dad. I have a feeling that when he looks at me, he's going to remember all the lies and the tragedy of his father's death."

Dani gave me a sad but understanding look. "I wish I could say you were wrong, but I don't know. It's a big hurdle to get over."

"Yes, it is. And besides all that, we've only known each other a few days."

"Life can change in an instant. We've certainly seen that."

"We have. It was funny, watching Mom and Rachel together. They went back and forth like we do, finishing each other's sentences. They spent their whole lives trying to protect each other."

"You said they would be a mirror for us, but I think they're a broken mirror," Dani said. "Of what can go wrong when you don't live your own life."

"They're also a mirror of what can go right when you love with your whole heart. Their love for each other is the most honest thing about them, and it's incredibly strong. They made a lot of mistakes but loving each other wasn't the worst of them."

"Well, thankfully, we are not as messed up as they are," Dani said. "We're not broken, Brynn. We're just a work in progress."

I smiled. "I like that description. And we won't stay close because of guilt or fear or duty, but because we love each other, and we're going to push each other to be better, right?"

"I don't think I can ever stop pushing," Dani said with a self-deprecating smile. "I know I can be bossy."