Of course, I had, but instead of Ash confronting her immediately he said he needed time to think. What the hell had there been to think about? I’d never liked Kate. Not her doe eyes, perfect teeth or her holier-than-thou attitude. Or the fact she was my age. My ugly-duckling-to-swan moment had happened, in the end. While I’d never been beautiful, I was attractive in my own way, and unlike when Ash had gone out with Celine, this time I could see the similarities in Kate’s and my looks. It pissed me off even more that Ash was obviously in denial, and I told myself to be patient, that it wouldn’t last between them, but just like Celine, everybody had fallen under Kate’s spell, and she’d ensnared Ash completely. They’d met when he’d gone paintballing with some friends. She’d shot him in the head and offered to buy him a beer by way of apology. Yes, that was Kate all over. The fun girl, the cool one—an overenthusiastic schoolteacher with a perfectly proportioned body, and a head full of values. Except for her bedding her ex-boyfriend one last time, something I took great delight in pointing out to her.

“This is so fucked up,” Ash said, pulling me out of the past. “If anyone finds out you gave me an alibi—”

“They won’t. They never have. It’s been over two years.”

“Jesus, this is why I left, isn’t it? Because I killed her?”

“I don’t believe you hurt her,” I said, allowing a sprinkle of doubt in my voice. “I don’t believe it for one second.”

“Why didn’t you tell me any of this before?”

“Because I knew how you’d react,” I said. “Look, today has been crazy. Let’s go to Maryland tomorrow. We’ll figure stuff out as we drive. We can get your things, bring them here and take it day by day, all right?”

Ash shook his head, his face distraught. “Maya...I don’t know if I can stay here. Maybe it would be better if I left town again.”

“Better for whom?” I said, struggling to keep my voice in check. “Do you have any idea how selfish you’re being after everything I’ve done for you?”

He shook his head. “Maybe...maybe we should sell the house.”

“What? No. This is my home, Ash. Mom’s buried here, and Brad. I won’t leave.” How could he even suggest selling this place? Had Lily put this idea into his head? How could he betray me like that? “I’m going to drop off the sweater,” I said. “We can talk more when I get back.”