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“Same.” She sniffles. “I haven’t seen anything that seemed off. I feel terrible, but I just assumed you’d picked up extra shifts at work. I know the medical bills were high.”

I swallow hard, the lump in my throat expanding with every word spoken.

The medical bills were high. But I was making it work.

“Have you seen Dahlia with anyone in the last few months? A boyfriend maybe? New friend?” Ryker asks.

“I don’t date,” I tell him. “Not for lack of trying, though,” I add with a half-hearted laugh as I adjust my glasses.

“Actually—” Susie trails off. “A man did drop you off last week. Thursday, I think? You made a joke about having to date on a weeknight because the weekends were full of activities at the retirement community. Something about them having a more active social life than you.”

“I had a date?” I gape at her. “Seriously? Of course I had a date that I can’t remember. Because I finally get a date and someone tries to kill me.”

“You did,” Susie says. “Nice guy, too. You introduced him as Alec. Said he was in insurance or something.”

“Last name?” Ryker questions.

Susie shakes her head. “She didn’t say one. He walked Dahlia to her door as I opened the door to set the trash bin out. She introduced him, kissed his cheek, then went inside, and he left.”

“Seems you lingered longer than putting the trash bin out,” Frankie jokes.

Susie’s cheeks heat. “I was watching out for her. Single woman who lives alone—it’s dangerous.” And then her cheeks turn an even deeper shade of crimson. “I say as I’m sitting across from you after you were abducted and nearly murdered.” She shakes her head. “I’m so sorry. My emotions are all over the place. Must be the hormones.”

“Hormones?” I ask.

Susie and Frankie share a sweet look, then turn to me. “I’m pregnant. I found out last week. Eight weeks along. Can you believe it? We’ve been trying for years, and I’d lost hope we’d ever be able to give Angelica a sibling. God is good, and it’s all in His time.” She smiles and rests a hand on her stomach.

I’m happy for her—truly I am.

But it seems like everywhere I look, everyone else is having babies, and I’m merely scraping by.

Surviving.

Alone.

Lord, please rip this toxic jealousy out by the roots.

“I am so happy for you both,” I say. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Susie’s smile falters. “I am so sorry for everything, Dahlia. I wish we had more answers for you both.”

“You’ve helped plenty,” Ryker says, tone friendly, as he stands. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

My throat is so tight I can barely breathe, but I step across to give Susie a hug when she stands. “Thank you. And congratulations, Susie. I am so happy for you.”

“Thank you.” She hugs me tightly, then releases me, so I step back.

“And thanks, Frankie.”

“Of course.”

Ryker reaches into his wallet and withdraws a business card, then offers it to Frankie. “If you notice anything off, call me.”

“Will do, thanks.”

“Yeah.”