“I wouldn’t say bonkers.” Dr. Melendez pinched her features together and then smiled. “The brain is a wild card. Think of the tricks it can play on you when you’re completely healthy. If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my twenty years practicing it’s that I will continue to be surprised until I retire. Maybe I’ll even write my own paper.”

Jax couldn’t understand how she felt more confused and yet very relieved. “So what do I do?”

“Keep being there and keep helping her.”

She could hear Gretchen’s pleading voice in her head. “She’s afraid of what will happen if I stick around.”

“Gretchen’s going to believe those memories until they’re proven wrong, and you can help her with that.” Dr. Melendez sat back and opened a chart. “Good luck, Jax.”

“Thanks, I think.” Jax left the office again, just as unsure as when she entered, but with a bit more understanding. She looked up to see Gretchen leaning against the wall beside the elevator. Jax wanted nothing more than to fix everything wrong, starting with six months ago when she’d walked out.

“Took you long enough. Did you find them?”

She nodded. “Let’s go.”

Jax didn’t say another word until she pulled up in front of the house. “I’ll pick Caleb up and drop him off here after school.” Gretchen started to climb out of the truck, but something forced Jax to speak again. “Gretchen.”

“Yeah?” Gretchen said, turning quickly enough to cause her hair to bounce. The darkness and sparkle in Gretchen’s eyes wrapped around Jax’s heart and clenched it so tightly her chest ached.

“Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Gretchen didn’t respond. She simply leaned across the front seat and kissed her cheek. The tip of her nose was cold. “Have a good night.” Gretchen got out of the truck and never looked back.

Jax watched her go.

Chapter Thirty-three

31 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes

Candlelight. Rose petals. Lingerie. Jax couldn’t think of anything else to make the perfect Valentine’s Day. Meredith stood before her in a lace bodysuit. Her pale nipples were barely visible beneath the violet material, but Jax’s hungry blue eyes still saw them. She sat back at the kitchen table, eager to ask about dinner but much more interested in having dessert first. Meredith walked around her chair and started massaging Jax’s shoulders.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” she said in a near purr.

The tone settled between her legs. She reached behind her and grabbed Meredith’s thighs, tilting her head back to look up at Meredith. “Happy, indeed.”

“I hope you don’t mind. I know we were supposed to go out.”

“We were?”