“Well, yes,” Zachary said, looking at me with a warmth he did not bother to hide.

“I believe we are.” Paisley turned to me for confirmation.

“You think so too, Dr.

Samantha?” “Yes,” I said.

“I agree completely.” She picked up her crayon and went back to her drawing.

“Good.

I just needed to verify the facts.”

In February, in the same quiet coffee shop by the riverwalk where he had taken me on the worst day of my life, Zachary reached into his coat pocket.