“Why don’t you do it?” I asked. “Why drag me down into your mess?”

“I can’t. What if someone saw me? What if something went wrong, and I got caught? Then it would all come out. And Sam’s parents . . . her dad . . . even the smallest hint of impropriety, and he’d lose his mind. I can’t have that happen. Not when Sam and I are so close to the finish line.”

“But I can? I can risk getting caught? You think it’s okay if I get arrested. I have a child. A wife.”

“You won’t get caught, Ryan. And I know I can trust you. I’d ask someone else, but who else can I count on as much as you? You’re one of the few honest people I know. Shit, maybe the only one. You and Sam. But I can’t ask her.”

“If I get caught breaking into someone’s house—my job, my reputation. What would people think of me? What would Amanda think of me?”

“That’s why you’ll be careful. And you’ll do it right.”

I picked up my mug and drank without thinking. The coffee had turned lukewarm and too bitter. I almost spit it out, but I choked it down and pushed the mug away with the back of my hand.

“It’s been nice seeing you again, Blake,” I said, although I no longer felt that way. “I guess. I know you don’t want advice, but since we’re friends, I feel compelled to offer some. Just talk to Sam. Start your marriage in a good place, with none of this craziness. That’s the best shot you’ve got. Not this cloak-and-dagger shit that can only lead to more problems.”

I scooted my chair back again, but before I could stand, Blake’s hand came across the table, landing on top of mine like a handcuff. I felt the coolness of his skin, the roughness of his palm. He locked eyes with me.

“Are you going to do that with Amanda, Ryan?” he asked. “Are you going to go home tonight and sit down with her while your son sleeps in his nice room upstairs and wipe the slate clean? Are you going to tell her everything she doesn’t know about you? She’s pretty no-nonsense. She’s a tough nut.”

“I’ve never done anything like this.”

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about. You know what I mean. Hell, you’re so worried about your reputation and your position, you’d have to come clean to everybody in this town to feel safe, wouldn’t you? And if everyone knew . . . well, there’s legal jeopardy.”

“What are you saying? Are you threatening me?”

“You’ll do this for me, Ryan. You’ll do it or every single person in this town will know the one thing you don’t want them to know about you.”