Page 71 of Tangled Up In You

"I think that's the main ingredient. But some people still seem to like it."

As she saw a group of teenage boys at the booth, she had a feeling she knew who those people were.

"So, falafel time?" he asked, handing her a falafel wrap. "I think this is going to be the easiest bet I ever won."

"Too bad there weren't any stakes." She bit into the falafel and immediately the delicious taste replaced the peppery mustard sauce. "You made a huge mistake, Adam."

"You don't like it?" he asked in surprise.

"Are you kidding? It's fantastic. You should have bet me something. You would have won easily."

"I couldn't do that in good conscience. I had insider information."

She took another bite and smiled. "You're very ethical, aren't you?"

"I try to be."

"Even when it comes to a silly bet?"

He shrugged. "It's just who I am."

"I really wish the hot dog had been as good as I remembered. But I guess nothing is ever like that. Our memories are better than reality."

He gave her a thoughtful glance. "Is that what you think?"

"I don't know. I just thought of it," she said with a laugh. "In case you haven't noticed, I don't always think before I speak. But upon reflection, that is what I believe…that our memories make things better than they were."

He nodded, his gaze suddenly far away. She realized she'd just sent him back into his own past—his tragic love story.

"I could be wrong," she said hastily. "I am often wrong."

"I don't know that you're wrong," he said slowly. "In fact, you might be right. When people say time heals all wounds, I wonder if they don't just mean time dims the memories of those wounds."

"You don't think healing is possible?"

He sighed. "I don't know. Let's get back to talking about hot dogs."

"We've already covered that subject."

"Then tell me how opening day went."

"Amazingly well. Thank you again for the flowers, for the encouragement. It was unexpected, and I was really touched that you thought of me."

"I want you to be successful, Molly."

"Why? Why do you care? You don't even like what I sell."

"I care because it matters to you."

She wanted him to say thatshemattered to him, but he left it at that.

As if sensing things were getting too personal, Adam cleared his throat, and said, "I'm glad I ran into you, because I need to fill you in on what I learned today. I spoke to Kim Collins, Caroline's stepsister. Caroline left her and her brother twenty-five thousand dollars each."

"That's a nice chunk of money."

"Kim also had a conversation with Caroline shortly before she died. So, she was in Caroline's house."

"Are you implying that she had access to the diamond?"

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