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“You bet your weirdo ass I do.”

“Doesn’t he live in Philly?” I pick up the bowl of popcorn, and we return to the living room where our movie awaits.

“Whatever. We’re not getting married. He’s on the road most of the time anyway. No big.”

“Are you going to be a groupie?” I tease. “Can we get backstage passes?”

“You wish. And hell no. I’m not fan-ing all over him. I have more self-respect than that.”

“Sure you do.” I laugh. Until I get a bowl of popcorn dumped over my head. I throw pieces at Collin, who’s rolling on the floor holding his stomach, gasp-laughing because, of course, the buttered popcorn is stuck in my hair.

Sixteen-year-old girl strangled by Aunt.

I read through the article again. It doesn’t mention Emma by name, unlike the articles about my family, because she’s a minor. But it wasn’t hard to find because Weslyn doesn't make much news beyond philanthropy and sports championships. Not unlike Hollis, minus the championships.

Emma had been living with her father’s brother, George Thomas, and his wife, Carol, for the past five years. It doesn’t say why they gained custody of her, but it does mention that her father is deceased. Derek Thomas died in a car crash when she was young. His family is tied to Lincoln, MA—like that’s supposed to mean something.

I feel like I’m already overstepping, searching for the article. I can’t come straight out and ask her what she went through. She doesn’t trust me enough. But I had to know. I haven’t been able to shake the emotionless tone of her voice when she talked about dying in her sleep each night.

When are you heading to New York?”

I look up from the article on my computer. Kendall’s in the doorway of my office. Checking the time, I answer, “Right now.”

“Alright. I’m here if you need anything. Don’t worry about checking in. We’ll see you on Monday.”

“Thanks,” I answer, sliding my computer into my bag. Before I leave the office, a text pings my phone… from Emma.

Emma: You have to tell her!

I gather my things and leave the office. Emma’s worried about Rachel. About her mother feeling alone, even though her daughter is right there with her. At the same time, Rachel’s not worried about Emma. It’s me sitting with her each night. I’m the one staying up with Emma staying up when she wakes from dreams of nearly being murdered.

I told Emma that I wanted to stick around until Rachel’s birthday next weekend. I’ve been trying to create space between me and Rachel. But I keep getting pulled back in. I’m leaving, and I don’t think it’s going to go over well with Rachel. Emma agrees. Which is why… I haven’t told her.

Rachel has always been honest about wanting me around. It’s not good for anyone to pretend this has a future. Even one built on laughter. It hasn’t been that for a while, honestly. And I don’t want to take any drama with me when I leave for California.

The real reason I want to stick around for another week is completely selfish. And I’m not ready to face the truth just yet. Especially now that I’m heading to a lawyer’s office in the city.

Initially, he scheduled this meeting in his Hollis office. I shut that down real quick.

I’ll be back tomorrow night. I’ll deal with Rachel on Friday. I need to suck it up and tell her the truth, no matter how she reacts.

Me: In NYC til Friday. I will, promise!

When I enter the conference room, Collin is already there, standing by the window, laughing with whom I can only assume is his lawyer. He faces me when I shut the door and gives me a nod of acknowledgment.

There’s no disdain on his face. Or anger in his eyes. If anything, he looks sorry—not guilty—but like he’s sorry for me. I can read Collin nearly as well as my own penmanship. He never tried to hide his thoughts or his emotions.

“Hey, man,” he says. I nod back.

I seek out Todd at the far end of the room, flipping through a stack of papers. “What do we need to do?”

“Let’s go through the contracts. Make certain we’re staying within the guidelines of your father’s will, so we don’t have to dissolve the company. You still don’t want to do that, correct? Because I’ve already been approached with some offers you may want to consider.”

“I don’t want any money from his company,” I tell him curtly.

“Right. I had to check.” He pulls out his chair, and I sit next to him. Collin and his lawyer take the seats across from us. “Mike took over running the construction side of the business, but the company took a hit initially. He had a hard time recovering the business until Collin stepped in. I know Collin was only intended to be the interim CFO, but we’re here to discuss if that role needs to change.”

“What do you want to do?” I ask Collin. Reeves Construction employs a lot of people in and around Hollis. “I really don’t want anyone to lose their job. But I’m not interested in running the business. It’s up to you.”