The longer I stared at the photo, the more convinced I was that the guy was David. Clare could never have met David. He was five years older than us. He’d gone to the same college as Brit, but he’d been a junior her freshman year, and she’d never mentioned they’d known each other in college.

At my computer, I typed in David Welbourne’s name. His profile appeared on a few financial sites, which all linked to his website. His professional headshot looked outdated by a half dozen years. He’d gained weight since and his hair was grayer. This version of David looked more like Clare’s photo.

David’s website didn’t list a physical address, just an email address and a PO box. Brit had said he worked from home.

Brit and he had met at the hospital after my accident. He’d appeared, explaining he’d arrived to visit a neighbor who’d suffered a stroke. He’d started making conversation, and they’d learned they’d gone to the same college. Brit had said how helpful he’d been. He’d taken her mind off me. He’d shown up a couple of times, and when I was out of the woods, he’d called Brit, asked her out on a date. The rest was history.

Two college alumni who’d reconnected in an emergency room after my accident. And now he was going to be a permanent part of Brit’s life. I sipped my coffee, found it had grown cold.

I rose, placed the mug in the microwave, and hit one minute. I hadn’t been introduced to him until the night of my birthday party. He’d seemed nice. Easygoing. As the wheel spun in the microwave, I couldn’t summon too many more details about David.

“Who the hell are you?” I muttered.

Without thinking, I reached for my coat and purse and headed out the door. I double-checked the lock and then hurried down the stairs and out the front entrance to my car. Behind the wheel, I quickly locked the doors and started the engine. I didn’t know where David lived, but I’d bet he was at Brit’s tonight. Knowing my sister and her rigid schedule, she’d ask him to leave at some point. She didn’t like waking up with a man in her bed, a quirk Jack had complained about back in the day.

Finding him wasn’t a given, but I drove west and then took the off-ramp that led me along Cary Street and the side roads leading to Brit’s house. As I drove onto my sister’s block, I spotted the second car in her driveway.