CHAPTERSEVEN
Anson paced the floor of his living area while Eve sat quietly on the sofa and watched. She’d kept her promise, not saying anything on the drive to his place or the ride up in the elevator.
“June’s sister, Aubrey.” He whirled to face Eve. “I saw her car parked on the side of the road the night she was killed.”
If he expected Eve to be shocked by the admission, she showed no signs. With her expression watchful, she inclined her head. “And?”
Were they really going to have this conversation in such a calm, logical fashion? Then again, Eve was a level-headed woman, one who attacked any problem head on. How had he expected her to respond?
Blowing out a breath, Anson raked a hand through his hair and dropped down beside her. “My parents had forbidden me to attend Sly’s parties. But they were at a charity function that night. The girl I was dating was going to be at the party, so—”
“You went.” Eve’s lips curved upward at the edges. “Sounds like something I’d have done.”
“I got there, and Tiffany and this college guy were all over each other.” Anson shook his head. “When I saw her with him…” His voice trailed off.
Eve was the first to break the silence. “Awk-ward.”
“Very.” His lips twisted into a semblance of a smile. “I left right after that. Why get grounded over a party that sucked?”
Eve squeezed his hand in a gesture of support. Would that support vanish when she learned what he’d done? Or rather, what he hadn’t done? “Makes sense.”
“On my way home, I saw a white car parked on the side of the road.” Anson turned to stare out the window and spoke almost to himself. “I always stop to help people. That night, I was so concerned about getting home on time, I didn’t even consider stopping to see if the person needed help.”
Anson returned his gaze to Eve, and when he spoke again, his voice shook with emotion. “What if Aubrey was in the car, Eve? It was dark, so I couldn’t see inside the vehicle, but what if June’s sister was sitting there, hoping someone would stop and help? I could have changed the tire for her, or given her a ride home. If I had, she’d still be alive.”
Surging to his feet, Anson paced for several feet, the tightness in his chest unbearable. “If I’d have thought of someone other than myself, I could have saved her life. But no, I was too worried about possibly getting grounded.”
“You were sixteen, Anson.” Rising, Eve moved to his side. “You didn’t know what was going on. You didn’t know that there was a girl alone in that car. You didn’t—”
“I could have checked. I could have seen if anyone was in there, if they were okay, if they needed—”
“Stop right there.” Her voice cracked like a whip.
He blinked.
“Would you tell a sixteen-year-old kid right now to stop on a deserted road to check out an abandoned car?” Her voice softened, and he saw the compassion in her eyes. “Look, I understand. June lost her sister that night, and her parents lost their daughter. It was a tragedy. A horrible, horrible tragedy. But, Anson, what happened to Aubrey isn’t your fault.”
“A better man would have stopped.” Anson met her gaze. “You deserve better than someone like me.”
“You’re a good man. The best I know.” Eve wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. “And I don’t want anyone but you.”
“If I could just remember,” Anson murmured.
She stroked his back. “Remember what?”
“Details.” Frustration filled his voice. “Right now, all I have is an image of a white car. I can’t even recall if I passed rescue vehicles headed toward the scene on my way home.”
“Maybe, and this is just a guess, it’s the pressure of trying so hard to recall that night that’s blocking the memory.”
“Maybe,” he acknowledged after a long moment, then added, “You’re a wonderful woman, Eve.”
She smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”
“You have a big future in front of you.” His gaze, serious and intense, never left her face.
“Fingers crossed.” She lifted her free hand to demonstrate.
“Which is why I think we should stop seeing each other.”