“I’m still angry. I don’t know if that will disappear tomorrow or next year. And the idea of my best friend dating my mother is still the strangest thing I’ve ever had to process.”
“That’s fair.”
“But I’ve spent three months thinking about what you did.”
I lowered my eyes.
“I should have told you sooner.”
“Yes, you should have.”
“I was afraid of losing you.”
He gave a sad laugh.
“Well, congratulations. You nearly managed it.” “I know.”
He studied me for a long moment.
“Do you think she’s happy?”
I thought about Karen standing beneath the bookstore sign, smiling at customers.
“I think she’s learning how to be.”
Daniel nodded slowly.
“Then don’t make her regret trusting someone again.”
The words struck me harder than I expected.
“I won’t.”
He extended his hand.
I stared at it.
“Seriously?”
“Don’t make me regret this, either.”
I grabbed his hand and pulled him into a hug.
