Page 198 of If By Chance

I shake my head, laughing. “Oh, no. This was your great idea. You’re more than welcome to it.”

She throws her head back. “Word of warning. Never commit to anything when drunk.”

“Do you have enough help with you?”

“Four of the mothers are coming. That’s one adult for every three children. We’re good.”

I pat her arm with my palm, already smelling the freshly brewed coffee from the kitchen. It’s calling me. “Enjoy.”

She snorts a groan.

Waving them off until they disappear into the long driveway, I finally turn my attention to Sam.

He’s already shifting on his feet and running his fingers over his stubble.

I hate when he’s nervous.

The last time it happened, I stayed in someone’s house for weeks and fell in love.

My heart can’t take much more, Sam.

He better say something good.

“Sam,” I implore. “This better be a passing visit because you missed my face.”

He closes his eyes and sighs.

This isn’t a passing visit.

“He was released this morning pending an investigation.”

“No,” I breathe as my mouth falls open. “No. No. No.”

Fuck.

This can’t be happening.

“How? You already did an investigation.”

His fist comes down on the roof of his cruiser. “I don’t fucking know.”

“Does Jake know?”

His silence is the only answer I need.

My mouth goes dry, and I can’t control the tremble in my hands. “He’s going to kill him.”

I can’t lose him.

Jay-Jay can’t lose him.

Now I’m petrified I won’t get tohimon time.

Fuck this.

I need answers now.

“Look, he’s friends with the judge. Believe it or not, he’s a man known for convictions of domestic abuse cases, but he’s too close to this one.”