Page 137 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“Maybe there’s a simple explanation. I think you should try not to worry too much until you can at least talk to him about this.”

“You’re not worried about this?” Jane looked back at the woman, at how perfect she was and could feel her insecurities starting to suffocate her.

“I admit it doesn’t look great, but you’re forgetting one thing: I’ve seen the two of you together. I know that man loves you. And he’s even told you now, why on earth would he do that only to cheat on you the very next day? Does that sound like something he’d do?”

“No,” Jane admitted. “But… it’s his birthday today. Why else would he spend it without me unless this woman was important to him?”

Clare studied the image in the phone again as if it would offer new clues. “Maybe it’s family. Does he have a sister?”

“He’s an only child.”

“Then you’ve got me. I don’t know.”

She set her coffee onto the bench, reached over and squeezed Jane’s ice-cold hand.

“Thing is, you won’t know either until he gets home and you actually speak to him about it. It’s pointless to torture yourself. The whole thing could be entirely innocent for all you know — which, I’m willing to bet money it is. Don’t forget that this is the same man who was so protective over you that he interrogated me! Me, Jane! And I’m about as nice as they come.”

Jane could feel her panic receding. She smiled a wobbly smile. “I know I’m being ridiculous. I just…”

She couldn’t finish her words with the frog in her throat.

“You love him.” Clare finished for her. Jane nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She lowered a hand to stroke Loki. He relaxed and pressed into her, warming her cold legs.

“Letting yourself become vulnerable is a frightening thing for everyone, not only those who have lost their memory. You need to not be so hard on yourself. Whatever you’re feeling is justified. Just allow yourself to feel it so you can get through it. You’ll feel better when you come out on the other side, I promise you.”

“When did you get so wise?”

Clare laughed wryly. “After years of being a doormat and putting up with a jerk for a husband, I guess I had to learn sometime.”

Clare’s phone rang, interrupting their conversation. “It’s Ken, hold on.” She took the call, smiling into the phone. “I guess you just can’t stop thinking about me?”

Whatever Ken said had her eyes flaring open with alarm. “Oh God. Are you alright?”

Ken spoke rapidly. Jane couldn’t understand his words, though his tone sent a chill through her body. Clare got to her feet, clutching her handbag as she ended the call.

“He’s been in an accident. They’ve rushed him to Cedars Sinai, but I need to get going.”

Jane stood up with her, shocked by the shade of pale her friend had gone. “That’s awful. What happened?”

“A car ran into his. His airbag deployed and broke his nose, but they need to run some other checks on him, make sure he’s OK internally.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Jane tugged Loki’s leash, forcing him to stand.

“That’s really kind of you, but no. I’d rather you go home and straighten things out with Logan. I can take it from here. Do you need a lift home?”

Jane waved her considerate friend away, touched at how, even in a time of such great distress, she could still think of her safety. “I’m fine with Loki. I’ll call for another car. You go, he needs you.”

“Thank you.” Clare hugged her tight before sprinting to her car.

“Call me later and let me know how he is!” Jane shouted after her.

“I will!”

Gunning the gas, Clare peeled out of the parking lot, leaving Jane to sit back down onto the bench. The shock of Ken’s accident had jolted her out of whatever misery she had been feeling.

This was ridiculous!

Here was something real that actually threatened Clare’s relationship. Logan said he loved her and his actions had proven that. Shouldn’t she give him the benefit of the doubt? Shouldn’t she go home and be there waiting for his return with open arms?

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