I took her hand.

“I think that’s exactly what I’m trying to learn.”

She closed her eyes again.

I stayed there until her breathing deepened, thinking about the gala Derek wanted me to attend, and wondering what I would do if the photograph from Claudia became a scene I couldn’t ignore.

PART 6

Saturday arrived clear and unusually cold.

Sunlight struck the windows along our street, making everything look newly polished.

Derek spent the morning arguing into a headset about seating arrangements at the gala and the timing of the charity auction.