Page 16 of Stay Away from Him

When Melissa got back into her car, she started the engine but then just sat back, feeling a little dizzy. “What the hell was that?” she muttered to herself under her breath. She couldn’t get a handle on the conversation she’d just had with Amelia Harkness—Thomas Danver’s next-door neighbor, maybe ex-girlfriend, and unofficial therapist to him in the wake of his wife’s disappearance. Melissa felt like she’d been ambushed, though technically, Amelia was never anything less than polite, calmly delivering what onlymighthave been veiled insults.

One thing was clear: Amelia wanted Melissa to stay away from Thomas. But why?

Not because she thought he was dangerous, surely. There had been something unsettled in Amelia’s eyes when she talked about the time after Rose Danver’s disappearance, when charges had been brought against Thomas for her murder—but Amelia ultimately said she believed he was innocent, and she was still friends with him today.

No, if Amelia was trying to keep Melissa away from Thomas, it was for her own reasons. Selfish reasons. The only thing she could think of was that Amelia wanted him for herself. She spoke of him being damaged, of needing to heal. She even implied that she cared deeply for him and his daughters. And it seemed to Melissa that Amelia wanted to be the one to heal him, to move from being his friend to his lover, from his daughters’ godmother to their mother. She all but confirmed that she and Thomas dated long ago—perhaps before he met Rose. Maybe she’d always thought of him asthe one who got away. And ever since, she’d been biding her time, waiting for him to be ready. Now she wanted to swoop in and claim him as her own—but Melissa was in the way.

It was enough to make Melissa forget all the reasons she’d wanted to wait, to go slow with Thomas. His wife’s disappearance, the murder charges against him, even Melissa’s own messy divorce—it all fell out of her head, shrunk down to nothing. All she could think of just then washim: his body, his smile, his eyes. An admired doctor, a committed father. A good man. And he wantedher. What the hell was she waiting for?

Just then, she got a text. She glanced at the screen.

It was Thomas.

How was your chat with Amelia? She’s great, isn’t she?

Melissa’s jaw clenched.Yes,she typed back, pretending enthusiasm.I enjoyed talking with her!

That’s great. She’s a really important part of my life.

Melissa spent a bit of time typing out her reply, making sure it was just right.

I can tell. And I want to get to know her better. If she’s important to you, she’s important to me.

She added a heart, then sent the message.

Thank you. That means a lot to me.

That was all Melissa got, and for a second, she feared she’d gone too far, gotten too intimate, made this serious when she should have kept it light.

But then the three dots appeared.

Have you given any thought to that date? I’d love to see you again soon. On purpose, not by accident.

She breathed out.

Yes, she typed back.As soon as possible. When?

When she saw his answer, she gave a little scream of delight.

Why not tonight?

Transcript of Recording

Amelia:So why are you coming tome, Thomas?

[pause]

Thomas:I’m not sure what you’re asking.

Amelia:What’s unclear?

Thomas:It’s two questions in one.

Amelia:Is it?

Thomas:Sure it is. Number one, why am I in therapy? Why do I want to talk to someone at all? Number two, why, out of all the therapists I could have gone to, did I choose you? My best friend from college, former girlfriend, next-door neighbor, godmother to my two daughters… Should I go on? Why am I insisting on talking to someone I’ve got history with?

Amelia:Okay. Two questions, then.

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