Later that afternoon Ash came by. He brought flowers, a bouquet of grocery-store carnations wrapped in paper.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“A little better. I’ll make it.”

I took the flowers to the kitchen. I didn’t own a vase, so I filled a tall glass with water and stuck the bouquet in it.

“Thanks for these,” I said.

Ash shrugged. “I thought I’d tell you in person,” he said. “She confessed to Danielle’s murder. The other thing, her stepfather’s death, I doubt anyone will prosecute it because she was a juvenile. But she’ll plead guilty to Danielle. It’s really over now.”

I nodded. “That’s good, I guess.”

Ash gave a grim smile. “There’s nothing good about the way this turned out,” he said. “Charlotte, I’m sorry. I put you at risk. I overlooked her. We were so focused on Brandon Young. I let you get hurt.”

“I was the one hanging out with her. Like a fucking idiot.”

“No,” he said. “It was my responsibility. This is my job and I fucked it up. I never wanted you in the middle of it.”

“I know you didn’t,” I said. “Listen, I’m okay. I handled it on my own. And now your case is solved.”

“That’s true.”

“So let it go. Or, you know, say thank you or something.”

“Thank you, Charlotte.”

“You’re welcome.”

There was an awkward silence, and I wondered if he was going to bring up our dinner date. I felt tired of his guilt, his advice and protection. My side ached and I wanted to lie down, take another pill. Before he said anything, I stood up.

“I should really get some rest,” I said.

“Of course. I’ll go.” He kissed me on the cheek. “Maybe when you’re feeling better—”

“I have your number,” I said.

“Right, okay. Take care, Charlotte.”

“I will.”

The sound of his car driving away gave me the sense that it was really, finally over. I wasn’t going to call him.

I went into Common Grounds the next day to talk to Andrew about my job. I sat in the office with him for an hour and explained everything that had been going on—the fight with Audrey, her arrest.

“Things can get back to normal now,” I said. “You know me, you know I’ve been a good employee.”

He said he’d think about it and talk to the other stores, see if they needed anyone to fill in.

“That would be great,” I said. “I have a car, I can go to the Heights or the Galleria. It would be even better, really.”

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”

“Thank you,” I said. I nearly hugged him.

It hurt too much to run, but I went for a long walk in the early evening once the temperature eased off. At home I sat on the steps, sweating, melting into the soft air. Sally called. She said she needed to see me.

“Can you stop by tomorrow?” she said. “It’s important.”