Page 54 of Unforgivable

“Does she? I didn’t know that.”

“From what you’ve said, I expected her to be really cold, unfriendly, but she was the opposite.”

“Yeah, well, I may have exaggerated in places.”

She looks up. “Now that’s a departure, coming from you.”

“I know. I hate to say, but I’m warming to her.”

“You’re kidding! Oh wow, Laura, what happened to you?”

I point my knife at her. “I said warming. I didn’t say I love her.”

She laughs.

“Did she tell you she’s split up with Leon and she’s back for good?”

“No way!”

“Yes, way.” I fill her in.

“So she’s back for good? That’s amazing. How do you feel about that?”

“No idea, I’m still processing.”

“Coming from you, that’s progress.”

“Thank you.” I push my fork down on my omelet like it’s potato mash.

Katie tilts her head at me. “What is it?”

“I’m nervous about her moving back,” I say with a sigh.

“In what way?”

I raise an eyebrow at her. I mean, it’s not like we haven’t had ongoing conversations about Bronwyn in the last few weeks. But her expression is serious, and I think about it for a moment. “She said the other day she was staying a few weeks, at least.”

“You told me, I remember.”

“You don’t think she’d want to get back with Jack, do you? I mean, she hasn’t said anything about that to you, has she?”

“Laura! You don’t think I’d tell you if she had?”

“Yes yes. Of course. Sorry. I’m just…sleep deprived. It was a long night. So she didn’t say anything about Jack?”

She gives a small shrug.

“Okay, what? Tell me.”

“We talked briefly about our work—”

“I don’t think she works,” I blurt.

Katie glances at me. “She talked about her interior design practice. I told her I was a psychologist, and she asked me if I thought Jack was depressed.”

“Really?”

She nods. “Do you think Jack is depressed?” she asks.