Page 60 of Open Secrets
“You. Naked in my bed.”
I ground my teeth, forcing a tight smile. “You’re confident.”
“Open marriage dating,” he said with a shrug. “Kinda obvious what you’re here for.”
I snapped the menu shut. “You know what? I’m done.”
He laughed like it was a game. “Sorry, sorry. We can have food first. My treat.”
I stood, slinging my purse over my shoulder. “No thanks.”
At the valet stand, I handed over my ticket, pulse thudding. Jesus, what was I doing?
“It’ll be a while,” the valet said.
“Fine,” I muttered, folding my arms.
Just my luck—
“Maria?”
I turned, already wondering if I could make a run for it. Nope.
Anna practically skipped over, glowing. “Maria, you’re here!”
“Yeah,” I said flatly.
She wasn’t alone. Her parents trailed behind, beaming like some cruel trick of fate. The fake smile on my face hardened to stone.
Anna either didn’t notice or pretended not to. “I’m introducing Mom and Dad to my new boyfriend. Do you think you could stay?”
I shook my head before she could finish. “I’ve got to relieve the sitter. Sorry.”
“Miss?” the valet called, pulling my car up to the curb.
I smiled with stiff relief and turned away, but Anna stopped me with a loud, “Hey!”
Then softer, almost earnest: “If you ever need help, I’m available to babysit.”
“Sure,” I said, already walking. And then I was gone.
Maria — Present
“And that was that,” I finish, sitting back against the couch.
Dr. Nina nods thoughtfully. “It seems to me they were extending a branch.”
I blink at her, incredulous. “How do you get that?”
“You said they smiled when they saw you. And your sister-in-law offered to babysit—in their presence. That sounds like an opening.”
My mouth opens, then shuts again. I shake my head. “They don’t want that. They’re… crazy Christians. They think I’m a murderer.”
Dr. Nina tilts her head, calm. “And what makes you so sure of that? Did they say those words to you? Or are you filling in the blanks?”
Heat rushes to my face. I cross my arms, defensive. “They didn’t have to say it. You should’ve seen their faces. I know what they think of me.”
She leans forward slightly, her voice steady. “Maria, sometimes the story we tell ourselves about how people see us is louder than the truth. What would it mean if you were wrong? If they actually do want a relationship?”
