Kelly released her grip as Anna bunched in closer, and Daniel was sandwiched between the two women who had played such a big part in his life.

A fierce sunset radiated from the doors behind Milly. This would be a great photo; a fine recognition of everyone who played a role in the success of Crossroads Counseling.

With a chunky click and a blinding flash, Milly took the photo.

As the team moved away, Daniel stared into the warmth of the reflection and the one part of his life that was going well.

Peter leaned forward. “Um, we’re finished, you two.”

Embarrassed, Daniel stepped away from Anna, who shook her head as if shaking herself back to the present.

Seventeen

The steam rose from the dim sims as Daniel cut them with his fork. Above him red-and-yellow paper lanterns swung in the crisp, conditioned air, nudging dark-brown bamboo screens that flanked a large fish tank. A long, gray catch of the day glided back and forth for its final few minutes as it surveyed its likely predators. Today there were just two.

“It’s nice to be able to unload after last night.”

Anna placed her chopsticks on the steaming bowl in front of her. “You know how we promised we’d have each other’s back? I saw the tension between you and Kelly, and I’m sure you’re dealing with that, but I also saw what happened with Monique.”

With a loud sigh, Daniel laced his fingers behind his head. This was already a long day after a bad start, a morning rush under attack with visual daggers and staccato questions from Kelly, unaccepting of his explanations of innocence over what didn’t happen on the deck.

“What you do in your own life is up to you, Daniel. But when it becomes a work issue, I have to speak up. I want to talk to you as a friend as much as a colleague.”

Daniel lifted a whole dim sim into his mouth to give his thoughts some time to develop.

“I put my foot down with Monique and asked her to talk to someone about her issues. Isn’t that enough?”

Anna’s eyebrow ratcheted up. “You need to be clearer about where the boundary is.”

Daniel fought the urge to slam his chopsticks onto the table. “Nothing happened!”

“Come on. You know this better than I do. Monique has interpreted your lack of a no as a yes.”

Where there should have been more anger was instead relief at hearing it out loud. His eyes drifted to the fish tank. The fish swam back and forth, forth and back. “I’ll talk to her.”

“And if you need someone to talk to about your marriage issues—together or alone—I’m here for you.”

Daniel reached for another prawn cracker. “I’m not sure Kelly would come to Crossroads, let alone to see you.”