Thea scowls. “What did he do? I know exactly thirty-seven ways to hide a body.”
That startles a laugh out of me. “Miles is helping me. Unfortunately, this is a problem of my own making.”
“Oh, well I guess that’s good. I actually like Miles and would hate to have to hidehisbody.”
“You’re amazing. I hope you know that.” I give her a quick hug that seems to startle her. But I hurry toward Miles’s office before she can say anything.
I didn’t even think to knock on the door. I simply walk in and set my coffee down on his desk.
“I think I have enough false courage from the caffeine to tell Willa the truth.” My hands are shaking.
Miles stands up and walks around the desk. “All right. That’s fine by me. Kingston and Willa are in Kingston’s office right now. We could catch them before they leave the building. But before we go…”
He pulls out his phone and flips it around so I can read the screen.
Grandma: Hi sweetie, I just wanted you to know that your grandpa loved Lucy and gave his stamp of approval. We’re so proud of both of you. We love you.
My stomach drops. He knows the truth, and he still gave his approval. What does that mean? Does Goldie not know? Why wouldn’t Felix tell her?
“She has to know, doesn’t she?” I say.
“I highly doubt Grandpa would keep a secret, so yes. She probably knows. But I think she likes you enough that she wants to keep you anyway.” He smiles down at me, and that’s when I realize what he’s doing.
He’s making me feel wanted. And he’s doing a dang good job of it.
He holds a hand out toward me, palm up.
I hesitantly lay mine on top of it. His strong fingers curl around mine, and he leads the way out of his office.
A self-preserving thought hits that maybe, just maybe, we could get a divorce, and I could manage to pay off those student loans, and no one would ever need to know what actually happened.
But deep down, I know I’m doing the right thing.
I follow Miles into Kingston’s office. Ironically, Willa is sitting behind his desk, working on his computer. Kingston is standing by the window, talking on the phone.
He glances back at us and quickly wraps up his conversation.
“Lucy!” Willa says with a smile. “I’m so glad you’re here! Do you have time for lunch today?”
She’s so sweet and hopeful. And I’m about to confess two big lies to her. I amtheworst person alive.
Miles places a hand on my lower back, and the warmth is comforting in a way I didn’t know I needed.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Willa. I need to tell you something.”
Willa’s smile drops from her face. “I knew it. You never come to the office. It’s something horrible, isn’t it?”
I try to speak, but she continues on. “Oh no, is it news from a doctor?”
Her face freezes in horror, so I blurt out the truth before she can spiral into other worst-case scenarios. “No. It’s worse.”
Miles nudges my side with his elbow.
“Okay. It’s not that bad,” I correct, not wanting to hurt his feelings. “I’m married.”
Slowly, the color seeps back into Willa’s cheeks as I watch the information sink in.
I risk a glance at Kingston. He looks surprised as well, but his eyes are focused on Miles.
