Page 26 of The Summer House

“So you won’t get in trouble for disagreeing with the boss?”

“Not even close.” He set his glass back on the table. “The frustrating part is we’ve run the experiment three times. John knows that in science, like in life, if you put the same elements together in the same way, you get the same result.”

She straightened in her chair. “That doesn’t happen in life.”

“Sure it does.”

“Not if there are people involved. No two situations are ever exactly the same outside of a controlled environment. Life is many things, but it’s not controlled.”

He didn’t look convinced.

“What about us?” she continued. “We’re not the same people we were eight years ago. We’re completely different, so this situation is completely different.”

“If that’s true, then the elements aren’t the same.”

“My point is people aren’t elements.”

“They can be.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re being deliberately difficult.”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Maybe.”

“Figures.” She decided a change of subject would be best for both of them. “I’m heading back to Los Angeles for a couple of days. I received a call last night from Daisy, Eva’s foster mother. Eva’s the little girl I told you about.”

“I remember. Is everything all right?”

“Yes. I have official permission to spend time with Eva, so I thought I’d start by going to the Long Beach aquarium with her. Eva really likes the ocean and things that live in it.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“I hope it will be.”

Mandy tried to act casual about the whole thing, but she was pretty excited. Although she still wasn’t sure that she would have the guts to adopt a special-needs child on her own, she wanted to seriously consider the possibility. Rather than simply spend time with Eva, she’d gone through the process of receiving official clearance so there would be no holdup if she did go forward with the adoption. Better to be prudent than make waves.

Rick leaned back in his chair. “Want company?”

She stared at him. “What?”

“I’m not doing anything for the next couple of days. We could go down in my car. Spend the night in some fancy hotel.” He held up his free hand. “Separate rooms. I know. No fooling around in the name of closure.” He shrugged. “I thought it might be fun.”

She didn’t understand. No man in her acquaintance had ever been willing to get within throwing distance of Eva. “Are you talking about coming to the aquarium with us?” she asked cautiously.

“If you wouldn’t mind.”

His obvious acceptance of the situation surprised her. But then she reminded herself that they were nothing but friends working on the past.

“Um, that would be great. Thanks.”

* * *

As there was going to be a young child to worry about, they drove down in Rick’s sedan rather than his convertible.

“Safety versus flash,” he said as they pulled into the modest Torrance neighborhood. “She doesn’t need a car seat or anything, does she?”

Mandy shook her head. “She’s eight. She’ll be fine in the back seat.”

She directed him to turn right at the corner, then left at the stop sign. Although she spoke calmly, he could feel her tension. It filled the car until he wanted to take her twisting fingers in his and promise that it would be all right. However, he didn’t think she could believe him.

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