Brianna sat at the end of the long wooden pier that broke the shoreline of Table Rock Lake. Bundled in her warm coat, she gazed at the reflection of the full moon in the calm, dark water. An eventful week had passed since Allison had driven her home from Evanston with the clothes and other things from her dorm room loaded in the Lexus. In that short time, it was as if her whole life had turned upside down.

After finding her phone in her pocket, she scrolled to Liam’s number. Except for a couple of texts, she’d put off calling him. He worked long hours most days, and at night he could be sleeping or out with friends. Maybe she’d really put off calling because she didn’t want to discover he was dating somebody else. After all, they’d never promised to be exclusive, and women practically followed him down the street.

But why did she have to be so insecure? Liam loved her. She had to keep believing that.

She made the call. Liam picked up on the second ring. He sounded sleepy. “Hey,” he said. “What are you up to? It’s after midnight.”

“I know. Did I wake you?”

“Yes. But that’s all right. I was getting worried. Are you okay?”

“More or less. But I had my trial today.”

She could hear him turning over and sitting up in the bed. “How did it go? Tell me.”

“The judge gave me a break because I had a clean record, but the news was still hard to take. A five-hundred-dollar fine and six months’ probation, with community service.”

“But no jail time?”

“No jail time. But six months, Liam! I can’t leave the state while I’m on probation. I can’t go back to Northwestern—or to . . . you.” Brianna had resolved to sound brave, but her voice broke.

She could hear him breathing. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do?” he asked.

“Look for a job, I guess. I can’t ask Dad to pay my fine or the lawyer’s fee. Tomorrow Allison’s going to trade in her Lexus for two good used cars, so we’ll both have something to drive. She’s been pretty cool about all this.”

“What about your dad? Is he getting any better?”

“He came home a couple of days ago. He can walk a little but he’s still in pain and pretty hard to live with. He wasn’t happy about school or the trial, but at least he won’t have to visit me behind bars.” Brianna muffled a sob. “I miss you, Liam.”

“I miss you, too. But six months isn’t forever.”

“So why does it seem that way? I know you need your work. I can’t ask you to take time off and visit me.”