“No. I need to get bac
k to the office.” He gave Fliss and Seth a brief nod. “Thanks.”
Seth said nothing. He couldn’t stop thinking about what Fliss had said.
“I’m driving Todd back to the airport.” Chase slapped Seth on the shoulder. “I know you said you were working over the holiday, but are you free in the evening? Matilda and I are having a few people over. We’re keeping it low-key as Rose is so little and Matilda is tired. My brother, Brett, will join us if he can, and a couple of other friends.”
Seth forced himself to concentrate. “I’m on call during the day. Tanya is covering the evening.”
Todd raised his eyebrows. “Are people really going to need a vet on the Fourth of July?”
“It’s always a busy few days for us. First there’s the heat—people leave pets in cars and forget about them while they’re barbecuing on the beach. They feed them table scraps, they have people around who leave doors and gates open so pets escape. And don’t even start me on fireworks. And it doesn’t end there. The day after when the yard is full of debris, the dogs eat it.”
Chase looked surprised. “I had no idea.”
“Neither does half the population, which is why I’m always busy.”
“You can bring your phone to our place. Fliss?”
“Grams and I are cooking lunch for her friends. I’ll be clear by five o’clock easily, and Grams goes to bed early.”
“Great. Then the two of you should come over.”
The two of you.
Seth noticed that Chase had bracketed them together, as if they were an item. It was typical Chase. Another friend might have been delivering a caution. Reminding him this hadn’t worked out the first time and that he was risking heartache for a second time.
Chase understood that some things were so important they were worth every risk.
He smiled at his friend. “Are you cooking?”
Chase looked offended. “Hey, I can grill. But as it happens, no. I’ve hired a chef. Do you know Eva?”
Fliss nodded. “She’s part of Urban Genie, the concierge business in New York that is responsible for the stratospheric growth of our business. Is she cooking? Because if the answer is yes, then I’ll be here.”
A few minutes later, the car pulled away and Seth watched as they disappeared from view.
Everything felt different. Everything had changed. The sky looked bluer, the air felt fresher and his head, which had been enveloped in a cloud since the death of his father, felt clear for the first time in months.
When he glanced around the kitchen, the dark fog of memories had lifted.
And he knew who was responsible.
He turned to Fliss. “You sold my house.”
She stepped closer and put her hand on his arm. “Are you upset? You weren’t even sure you wanted to sell it.”
“Neither was I, but I am now. All those things you said to Todd made sense to me. I thought the memories were part of the house, and listening to you made me realize they’re part of me. And although I’ve lost him, I haven’t lost the memories or the legacy. I’ll always have that. Thank you for making me see it.” He felt her wrap her arms around him.
He wondered why other people didn’t immediately see her warmth and generosity.
He’d seen those eyes blaze with fierce determination when she’d stepped in front of her sister to defend her. He’d seen her step in front of her brother, too, no matter how big her opponent. But until today she’d never stepped in front of him.
“You were amazing. Bold, fearless, honest and right.” He turned to her, wondering how much to say. Was it too soon? “Do you know the best part about this?”
“That despite extreme provocation, I’m not up on a murder charge?”
He smiled. “The best part is that you did it for me.”