Karen reached across the table and took my hand.
“Alex, my life is already complicated. You didn’t create my divorce. You didn’t make Michael lie to me. And you didn’t take away the years I spent trying to make that marriage work.”
She squeezed my fingers.
“I am responsible for my own choices now.”
I looked at our joined hands.
“Then I have one question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you still want to kiss me?” For the first time since I had entered the bookstore, Karen laughed without restraint.
“You really haven’t changed.”
“I’m told it’s one of my worst qualities.”
She stood up.
Then she stepped closer to my chair.
“Look at me.”
I did.
“I don’t want to be someone’s secret, Alex. I don’t want to be a temporary escape from loneliness. And I don’t want you to choose me because you think you have to rescue me.”
“I don’t.”
