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I finished filing my notes for the day, then went home and changed into my running gear, which consisted of tights now that the weather was too cool for shorts, a long-sleeved nylon shirt, and my Puma running shoes.

Dakota was in the kitchen, prepping dinner, when I headed for the door.

“I’m gonna get a quick run in with Piper. What’s on the menu tonight?”

“Chicken fajitas,” she said, “and pecan pie.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Dad’s favorite pie? You trying to get on his good side or something?”

She sighed. “Gotta make the peace somehow.”

I rested my hand on her shoulder. “He loves you. Believe me, he’s kicking himself for acting the way he did.”

“You know how stubborn he is,” she said. “He’s not going to forgive Joey just because I do. Not that I’d expect him to. He’s entitled to feel the way he does. You all are.” She shot me a teasing smile. “Though I’m not sure your feelings about Joey have much to do with me anymore.”

“Are you kidding? Of course they do.”

She scoffed. “Stop pretending. I know you two are hooking up.”

“I don’t want to talk about that with you,” I said, hiding a shudder.

“Well, you should talk to someone,” Dakota said. “I can see that it’s doing your head in.”

“Maybe.”

She slapped my outer thigh. “Go get your run. Dinner will be done soon.”

I started toward the door.

“Oh! And good news, Kit. You won’t be the only one in this house getting some because I called Felipe! We’re going out Saturday.”

I froze, glancing back over my shoulder. “Oh, yeah? That’s…good.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, try not to look as if I’ve just told you I’m into furries or something. We’re going to dinner. Nothing too scary.”

I grimaced. “Why do you insist on putting these images into my head? Furries? Really?”

She was still cackling with joy as I went out the door. I used the short walk over to the trail to warm up. When I got there, Piper was waiting.

“There you are. I thought you were bailing on me again!”

“Sorry,” I said. “I’m here now.”

“Thanks for doing this. I need to get out of my head for a while.”

“I know the feeling,” I said. “Everything okay with you?”

She waved a hand. “Just working too much, and Megan is trying to choose a college for next year. Big decisions are always stressful.”

We talked about state universities and outrageous tuition rates while we stretched. Then we started with a nice steady jog between trees. The temperature was brisk, but my body was already heating up from exertion.

For a few minutes, the only sounds were dry leaves crunching under my shoes, my measured breaths, and my heartbeat. When I was running, I tuned into my body with a hyperawareness akin to meditation.

“So, what’s been keeping you so distracted lately?” Piper said, breaking my quiet reflection.

“Uh, nothing.”

“Don’t lie to a therapist. You’ve got a terrible poker face.”