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“Nope. I’ve got it.” She slid the panel shut in front of my face. A moment later, she leaned out the driver’s side window. She must have transferred herself into that front seat. I didn’t even want to think about the physical gymnastics that must have taken.

Effort she wouldn’t need if not for you, my guilty conscience whispered.

“Don’t forget about Wednesday!” she called. “I know where you live.”

Yeah. So does your brother.

“I won’t forget. Whatever you want, whatever I can give you, I’ll do it.”

She smiled, though it was tight around her eyes. “Good. I’ll see you then.”

She operated some levers on the steering column. Not just the shifter, but what I assumed were the gas pedal and brake as well.

She reversed out of the parking space, turned, and drove toward the exit. Watching the minivan merge into traffic, you’d never know the driver inside was paralyzed.

But Dakota could never forget. Kit couldn’t.

And no matter how I tried, neither could I.

CHAPTER 10

KIT

I sipped my tepid coffee and checked emails between appointments, but my mind wasn’t really on work. I kept seeing Joey Whittaker, on his knees, face wet with tears and saliva.

My stomach turned over. I still couldn’t believe what I’d done. I’d just been so shocked and outraged and⁠—

And there was no fucking excuse. None. He might have hurt Dakota irreparably, but he’d gone to prison and done his time. I had no business confronting him or sticking my dick in him.

Jesus, who even was I right now? I didn’t do shit like this.

I blew out a breath and tried to refocus on my email. A new intake form sat in my inbox, awaiting my confirmation of a treatment plan for our newest patient.

I read the same sentence three times and dragged my hands through my hair with a groan.

“Hey, Kit?”

I looked up, eager for a distraction.

Piper leaned in the doorway with an apologetic smile. “I’ve gotta bail on lunch today. Sorry. Roberta is in crisis, and I had to shuffle patients around, so this is really the only time slot that works for me.”

Damn. I really could have used an opportunity to get out of my head today. Then again, Piper made me want to spill all my secrets. She was a great therapist, but she was also my friend and co-worker. I didn’t want to tell her about my sex life—especially when it was so fucked up.

I forced a smile. “Okay, no worries. We’ll go another time.”

“Cool.” She half turned but hesitated. “Are you okay? You look a little ragged around the edges today.”

“Just tired. Missed my beauty sleep.” I swiped my fingers under my eyes. “Do I look horrible?”

She laughed. “Oh, please. You look gorgeous, as always, babe. Just stressed. If you need to talk, you know where to find me.”

“I’m fine,” I said. “Just need to recharge with some decent caffeine.”

“Eat something too. Call Dakota or something and get out of here a while.”

“Maybe I will.”

Dakota and I didn’t grab lunch together all that often. We saw each other every night for dinner, and it was good for us to have time apart. But today I could really use an escape.