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“When’s the last time you talked to Lily?”
“Any meaningful conversation took place around Memorial Day. She made the accusation, and I took exception to it.”
“You broke up with her then?”
Dan frowned, studying Alan’s face. He had heard all the details when it had happened.
“It’s just for the record, Dan.”
“Remember, she broke up with me. She said she didn’t want to be involved with anyone with my poor morals, or something like that.”
“What were the circumstances?”
“Is that important?” Dan asked.
“It could be.”
“All I’m willing to say is that she’d made an accusation against Lisa and Ryan, and I called her on it as being narrow-minded.”
“I just needed you to confirm it, Dan. No malice intended. She contacted me about it, as well. I hope it doesn’t have to come out.”
“You know what I mean, then.”
Alan got up, stretching. “I might need to consider retiring. This shit is getting to me.”
“Maybe once you get married…”
“Yeah, that’s what Shelly says. She’ll make an oasis for me.”
He turned to walk out of the office, Dan following. “Hope no one comes along to screw it up for you,” Dan said in a soft voice.
Flushing, Alan didn’t respond. He’d asked forgiveness for the affair already, numerous times. Nodding, he left the office. His phone beeped, and he looked at the screen. A text from Shelly. With Shelly, less was more. He needed to level with her about a few things but dreaded it.
You okay?her text asked.
The only way to answer that was to call her, but he asked first. Shelly didn’t like him to call her at work.Can you talk?
His phone rang. “You okay?” she repeated.
“I’m okay. I’m leaving Dan Chua’s office.”
“Oh. What’s going on? I mean, beyond the obvious.”
There was an edge to her voice that Alan was unfamiliar with. She might have suspected he wasn’t quite as perfect as she’d originally thought. It was time to be honest with her about his past. He filled her in on the facts about Lily Porter’s death that would be made public and nothing more.
“So, what does that have to do with Dan?”
“He dated her briefly.”
“And that’s why you were at his office? You had to question him about that?”
“It was uncomfortable for more than one reason. I need to tell you something about Dan and me.”
“Should I be nervous?” she asked.
“No, not now. But you might change your mind about me.”
“I’m only interested in what goes forward between us, Alan. Look, what’s in the past stays in the past. I don’t care about any of that right now.”
