Nina hadn’t seen her since the day Lynn learned the truth.
Something in Nina’s chest twisted painfully. She forced a smile—awkward, strained.
“Hi, Lynn,” she said softly.
Lynn didn’t answer or smile back. Her gaze drifted between Nina and Jasper.
“Why are you here? Weren’t you taking time off?” Jasper asked.
“I decided I’m not going to hide just because people gossip behind my back,” Lynn said coolly.“Well, keep talking. I’m leaving.”
She turned to leave. Nina wished the floor would swallow her up. She couldn’t find a single coherent word. She didn’t even know how to exist around Lynn anymore.
“Don’t worry, she’s almost over it,” Jasper murmured, watching his daughter walk away.“I have to go, but if you’re not busy and want the details of your husband’s case, wait for me in the cafeteria upstairs. Second floor. They serve good roasted potatoes with beef for lunch.”
Nina had no idea what to say. Everything inside had flipped over. She wanted to go, but she was afraid to. She was curious, but unbearably uncomfortable at the same time. Too many feelings at once; she wasn’t sure she could handle any of them.
“Ms. Osborne,” a nurse’s voice sounded beside her.“The doctor is ready for you now.”
“Yes,” she exhaled, turning and nodding.“Thank you.”
She walked down the hallway, leaving Jasper behind—along with the unresolved question of whether she would wait for him or not.
***
“Could you tell me where the cafeteria is?” Nina asked a woman in scrubs once her check-up was over.
“Second floor, to the right, just past the stairs,” the woman answered.
Nina thanked her and headed for the stairs.
She could have just left, pretended Jasper’s invitation wasn’t meant for her. But she still went upstairs. She convinced herself she only wanted details about Frank’s case. Nolan barely discussed anything with her. He and Jasper kept everything locked down. All she ever got was the occasional document to sign for court.
The second floor was bright and open. The cafeteria sat behind a glass partition. A few small tables by the windows, a drink counter, a food display. There weren’t many people around.
Nina froze at the entrance for a moment, scanning the room for Lynn. Not seeing her brought a small wave of relief. The tension between them hadn’t gone anywhere, and Nina still had no idea how to rebuild any sort of relationship with her.
She walked to an isolated table by the window and sat down. Folded her hands on her lap. Stared at her own reflection in the glass.
Ten, maybe fifteen minutes later, Jasper appeared in the doorway as if he somehow knew exactly how long she needed alone.
He noticed her right away and walked over.
“They serve decent food here,” he said.“Do you want anything?”
“Water,” she murmured.
He went to the counter. Nina watched him go, feeling the sideways glances from the staff. Almost everyone here had read the disgusting rumors. Wonderful. It probably wasn’t easy for him either.
Then again, she reminded herself—why should she care? It was his doing. Now he dealt with the consequences.
He returned and set the glass in front of her.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Jasper stepped away again toward the warm-food counter. Nina didn’t take her eyes off him. Her fingers clenched under the table. The euphoria from Frank’s arrest hadn’t faded. She still couldn’t fully believe it was realthat it was over, that she could stop being afraid, stop waiting for the day she’d be dragged back into a psychiatric ward.
Jasper came back with a tray. Salad, a cutlet, roasted potatoes with a crispy golden edge.
