and I could stay with her, she hadn’t hesitated.
Now the idea of bringing whatever this was to her front door made me feel sick.
“I might not come tonight.”
“Why not?”
I glanced at Adrian.
He stepped away deliberately, giving me privacy.
“I’ll explain,” I said. “I just need to figure something out.”
“Elena.”
“Yes?”
“If Ethan is involved in whatever you’re not telling me, you are not inconveniencing me.”
My eyes stung.
“I know.”
“No, you don’t. That’s why I’m saying it.”
I looked down.
“When did you get so wise?”
“Three children and a mortgage.”
Despite myself, I smiled.
“I’ll call you soon.”
“You’d better.”
The line went quiet.
For a moment, I stared at my phone.
There was a seventh message from Ethan now.
Please answer. There are things you don’t understand.
I had spent years answering him.
Explaining.
Defending.
Apologizing.
I wasn’t ready to do
