Her phone buzzed with an incoming text. She pulled it out of her pocket and saw it was from Toby.

Immediately guilt bubbled up inside, which was ridiculous. They weren’t involved. Yes, there had been that great dinner and the kiss that had followed, but he’d made it clear he wasn’t interested in an actual relationship. Besides, she and Jake had only been talking. No guilt was required.

That established, she read the text.

Harrison has something he wants to talk to you about. Can you come by tonight around seven?

The only possible topic that came to mind was Harrison getting stuck in the closet. Was he afraid she was going to tell people that he’d screamed and cried? She wouldn’t, but better to tell him that.

I’ll be there.

Thanks. See you then.

Every part of Toby wanted to tell his son he was making a mistake. Protecting his son was his primary job, and watching him walk into a dangerous situation had him on edge. But Harrison was insistent and Toby had been unable to change his mind.

“It’s okay, Dad,” Harrison told him. “I want Reggie to know what happened.”

The obvious question was why, but Toby had already tried that. His son trusted Reggie, and that was the end of the discussion.

So here they sat, waiting for Reggie’s arrival at the house. Toby couldn’t help wishing for a call from her, saying she couldn’t make it. But right on time, the doorbell rang.

“Don’t worry,” Harrison told him, sounding far older than eight. “She’s not like Lori.”

Something Toby could only hope was true.

They let her in. Usually the sight of Reggie’s easy smile kicked him in the gut, but not tonight. Instead there was only unease. He knew he should trust her, but he was a father first.

They exchanged the usual greetings as Reggie took off her coat and hung it, along with her scarf, then they went into the family room. Reggie hid her curiosity well, only smiling when Harrison told her where to sit. Toby took a chair across from her so he could watch her and jump in if he needed to. Harrison remained on his feet.

“I wanted to tell you what happened in the closet,” Harrison said. “At the community center.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything,” Reggie said, her voice gentle. “I mean that, Harrison.”

He nodded, his expression serious. “I know, but I want you to know.” He looked at Toby, then back at her. “When I was six, Dad had a girlfriend. Lori. She and Dad were going to get married.”

Reggie’s eyebrows rose slightly, but otherwise she didn’t say anything.

“Lori told Dad that she liked me a lot, and when it was the three of us, she was really nice, but when it was just her and me, she was different.”