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He didn’t say a word, simply lifting his brows.
Kit sighed. “I know, Maureen didn’t talk to me, either, but she talked to you.”
“Maybe you wore her down so that she was ready when I came by.”
Kit laughed quietly. “Very gentlemanly of you. Oh, I wanted to tell you that I saw Nathan Beckham this morning. I had his school counselor with me, and she called a social worker. They’re referring him for therapy. I hope it helps him.”
“Thank you. That was... good of you to do.”
She took a step back, mainly because she wanted to stay and talk to him some more and that wasn’t okay. “Well, thank you for calling me tonight, especially after you said you’d never tell me anything again.”
“I’ve become better informed. Joel and Laura both speak highly of you.”
Joel’s approval didn’t surprise her, but Letterman’s did, and that made Kit more than a little disgruntled. She didn’t want to like the woman.
The woman who’d lived with Sam Reeves for four years before cheating on him.
But that did not matter. It did not. It could not.
But she wanted it to. It can’t. I can’t.
“That’s good to hear. I have an appointment that I need to get to, so I have to go. Have a good evening,” she said, waving over her shoulder as she turned and all but ran to her car. She had two hours before her appointment with Dr.Scott, but if she’d stayed, she might have started making small talk with Sam. And that wouldn’t do at all. He was technically still a suspect. And a shrink to boot.
If she ever found herself in a relationship, it would be with a man who wasn’t trying to psychoanalyze her every time she opened her mouth.
She’d get some dinner and then she’d see Baz. And forget all about Sam Reeves and how nice he was. How smart. How... cute.
Stop it.
When she got to the end of the street, she looked in her rearview mirror. He was still standing in the Epsteins’ driveway, watching as she drove away.
Chollas Creek, California
Tuesday, April 19, 7:00 p.m.
“Thank you,” Sam said quietly as Laura pulled into a parking place in front of Colton’s fourth wife’s apartment building. Sam had told her to take him back to Joel’s house after they’d finished at the Epsteins’, but she’d shaken her head, making travel arrangements for the family on her cell phone while she drove. After she’d finished, they’d driven the rest of the way in silence, but it hadn’t been awkward.
If nothing else, he and Laura could get some closure on the ending of their relationship.
“I told you that I’d stick with you,” she said. “Today was the only day I could free up completely, so we need to make the most of it. Tomorrow I can’t pick you up until the afternoon, so arrange who you want to see by priority.”
“That’s not necessary, Laura. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“Stop. First, you’re worth it. Second, I want to do the right thing here. So many people I defend are guilty as sin. Don’t get me wrong—I don’t feel bad for defending them. It’s their right under the law, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t like to feel like a hero every now and then.”
Sam exhaled. “Thank you.”
She smiled wistfully. “Third, I truly want to make amends. Thank you for giving me the chance. I don’t kid myself that you’re ever going to forgive me. I was an idiot and... Well, I lost a good thing with you. You deserve good things, Sammy.”
“Forgiveness and trust are two different things,” he murmured. Because he might be able to forgive her, but he’d never trust her again. Not with his heart anyway. Apparently, he trusted her enough to safeguard his freedom.
Laura nodded in understanding before she looked away, watching some little kids playing on a set of swings. “You were really good with her.”
“Maureen? She was ready to talk.”
Laura’s lips curved sadly. “I meant McKittrick.”
Sam startled. “When?”
