Maybe her anger had been a defense mechanism, but it was hard not to see a sliver of truth.

Was he telling me, or himself? At least what he was saying made sense. He turned all the way to face me, crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned back against the counter, studying me. “You’re not taking advantage of me,” I said quietly. I tilted my head to the side and shrugged a shoulder. “How much of that did you hear?” he asked. He straightened and turned, casting a glance at me over his shoulder, and just the profile of his torn expression made my heart hurt. I stopped just inside to spy him facing away from me, his hands spread on the counter and his head hung. I swallowed the lump in my throat, grabbed my overnight bag, and trudged toward the kitchen. The patio door slammed shut and was followed by a long, aching silence. “I think we’re done here, and I’d like you to leave.” “Her? Really, Greg? You’re taking advantage of that girl and should be ashamed of yourself.” You won’t be seeing me again.” Footsteps moved at a clipped pace, then stopped abruptly. “Come over here again and it’ll be harassment.” His voice wasn’t threatening, but it was plenty serious. She gasped so loudly, I could practically see the indignation on her face. Unless it’s an emergency, you stay on your side of the property line. I’ve tried to be polite, believe me, but that ended the second you decided to trespass on my lawn and invade my privacy. “I’m not interested in you, because of you.

“This is why you’re not interested?” she spat out. “That’s definitely none of your business,” he answered, maintaining an even keel, but I heard the edge beneath. “Lordy, I had no idea just how inappropriate it really was.” “I was doing you a favor! I thought you’d want to know how that girl spent the night, because it’s so inappropriate.” Judy drew in a deep breath. The pitch and volume of her voice climbed. Did I ask you to come into my yard and look through my windows?” Second, how I raise my son isn’t really your business. “First of all, Cassidy isn’t Preston’s girlfriend-” Letting your son’s teenage girlfriend sleep over.” She said the word teenage the same way I imagined prim and conservative Judy would say atheist democrat.Ī long and very male sigh rang out. “What ‘sort of thing?’” Greg’s words were sharp, and I pictured his expression matching his voice. I assumed you’re a good father who doesn’t allow that sort of thing.” “Well, when no one answered the door, I thought she’d spent the night with Preston while you weren’t home. There came a sound like she was flustered. I reached for the doorknob, but hesitated when I heard her voice, full of righteousness. A door closed, and two pairs of footsteps drifted in from the kitchen.

The doctor nikki sloane pages