finished getting Blair settled in for bed, and Naomi is already asleep. She hasn’t been feeling well, and she’s slept most of the day. Greg insists it’s on account of all the holiday sweets, but I wonder if she’s picked something up. The flu is going around, although she isn’t running a fever, so Greg might be right. We need to be more strict.
“What?” He places two wine glasses on the coffee table and sinks down onto the couch beside me.
“CPS. I’m told we should expect them.”
“Why are you still talking to Alex?” Greg asks, looking around the living room. “And what are they going to find?”
“With Blair’s injuries—and that video—well, I don’t know.”
He gulps his wine, leaving the glass empty. “I get it. There’s more than enough judgment to go around. But what I want to know is how in the hell someone got into our house? You think it was one of your casserole friends, rummaging around our house? I swear to God, if it was one of them…”
“Calm down. I don’t think they would do something like this. It has to be Mooney. I just feel that. I don’t know why. And I don’t know how he would have gotten in here. Who knows what other surprises might be lurking about?”
Greg’s eyes widen. He stands and walks through the house, searching everything, every nook and cranny, every closet.
“Speaking of Alex,” I say. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Don’t,” he replies. He suddenly halts, surprising me. “I’ve thought it over, and I think it’s better if I don’t know.”
“Are you sure?” My brow knits. “You don’t even know what it is.”
He half-scoffs, half-laughs, and I wonder how much he’s had to drink. “Honesty is revered, Amy. But honesty can also cut like a knife.” He looks up at the air vent and then down at me. “And I’m not sure I can survive another cut. Whatever it is,” he says, shaking his head, “I trust that you’ll fix it. Before it becomes a problem.”
The following day I meet with Alex at the Germond property so he can take another look before submitting an offer. The house is surrounded by huge oaks and a long drive; it almost feels like driving into another world, away from the scrutiny of my own. There’s something peaceful about the property—it offers the kind of serenity money can buy.
When I arrive, I am not surprised to find Alex waiting for me. He leans against his luxury SUV, arms folded against his chest, watching as I get out of the car and walk over to where he is standing. He smiles, but it’s not particularly genuine. “I didn’t come to see the house.”
I cock my head. “I hope you’re joking.”
“What’s funny?”
“I’m paying a sitter,” I lie.
“I needed to see you.”
I was aware of this already, and perhaps a little afraid of it, but he has something I want—business—and also, he is making it clear that he knows I am trading a little bit of my soul for it. “Well, here I am.”
“You don’t have to stay with him, you know.” His gaze moves toward the house. “I could take care of you.”
“I’m sure you could.” I stare at the pavement before looking up at him. “But I love Greg. And we’re happy.”
“You didn’t look too happy in that video.”
I close my eyes and contemplate what to say next. Then I inhale deeply, exhaling in a rush. “Alex, I need to be honest.”
“All right.”
The sun has peeked out from behind the clouds, warming my face. “I came here to sell you a house. And nothing more.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Okay—” I shake my head. “But I’m not going to try to convince you. It is what it is. I mean…you were always a good friend to me but—”
“Say what you want, Amy. But I saw you there in that booth at the fall festival, and I knew. Funny thing, I hadn’t known you were going to be there. I was looking for Dana. Anyway—when I saw you, I knew it was a sign from heaven. I need a house, sure. And perhaps I used that as an excuse to see you. I won’t lie. But what I need more is a family. And you can provide that. You have everything I want. You are everything I want.” He sighs. “The universe putting you in that booth was a sign. We’re meant to be in each other’s lives.”
“Alex—I only wanted to sell you a house. And—yeah—okay…I