Eric was there. In the office, at his desk, surrounded by menus.

My heart bounded and wriggled like a happy puppy. My brain scrambled, struggling to make sense of his presence. “You said you were leaving Ray alone today.”

“I am. I’m in here, yeah? Not out there, looking over his shoulder.” He smiled at me ruefully. “I seem to have more trouble staying away from you.”

I gaped.

“I thought we could get something to eat,” he said.

“Now?”

One eyebrow raised. “Unless you are busy.”

“I have to go home,” I blurted.

His face blanked. “I see.”

“No. I mean . . . I can’t go out like this.” I was desperately tired. And dirty. I needed a shower. “Maybe later. I could meet you somewhere.”

“Of course,” he said politely.

Damn. I was missing something. Getting this wrong, getting him wrong somehow. If only I weren’t so tired.

“Or . . . Or you could come home with me.”

“Whatever you want.”

I folded my arms. “Why do you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Say that. As you wish,” I mimicked. “Whatever you want. Like whatever happens next is up to me.”

“Jo. Whatever happens is up to you. You work for me.”

“So?”

“I am your boss. I do not want to . . .” He stopped. For a man so confident, so decisive, he seemed oddly at a loss for words.

“Harass me?” I suggested, grinning.

He did not smile. “Take advantage.”

“You could try,” I said. “I’m not powerless, you know. I can always say no.”

He gave me a searching look. “Would you?”

Oh God. A memory surfaced of Trey’s white face during our last, horrible fight, the hard glitter of tears in his eyes. “Don’t say it,” he’d begged me in a choked voice. “Say you’ll think about it. Say you need time. Just don’t say no.”

I’d hurt him so much. I’d broken his heart. That’s what he said. Heartless, he’d called me. Because I wouldn’t give in to friendship and our families’ expectations. Because I didn’t give him what he wanted. Because I couldn’t be who he needed.

I’d always been selfish, Amy said. Willful, according to Aunt Phee.

“Yeah,” I said slowly. “It’s kind of my thing. Saying no.”

Eric nodded. “Good.”

Like I could tell him no, like I could be myself, and it would be okay.

“Er. So. Are you coming home with me or not?”

“Yes.”

“I should warn you, I’ll probably fall straight into bed.”

“Fine.” He smiled his full, knee-weakening smile. “I’ll catch you.”

CHAPTER 12

Meg

The Explorer had that mom-car smell, a compound of smooshed Cheerios, apple juice, and diapers. John had offered to take my vehicle to the dealership to be detailed. That’s what marriage was all about. Doing things for each other because you could. Because you wanted to make the other person happy.

But I couldn’t give up my car, even for one day. I reckoned I had just enough time to run my errands and drive an hour to the rehab center before I needed to turn around and pick up the twins from preschool.