Page 80 of First Date: Divorce
After a silent shared look acknowledged that most of the staff was on the patio, leaving inside less occupied than usual, K.D.and Eric followed Izzy and Orion — and ran right into Lily and all herlovelywishes and questions.
“Are you planning to join us later for danc—?Oh, excuse me.”The phone gave a distinctive trill.“I’m needed in the office.”
She bestowed another smile on them, then hurried off.
She left her computer screen open and signed on.
K.D.looked toward Eric.He was looking at Ms.Smiley’s screen.
Then he met her eyes.
They agreed in that instant.
Not even Cully could expect them to be so careful they wouldn’t take advantage of this opportunity.
And they truly were in this together … in case this went wrong.
“I’ll look.You keep a lookout,” she said.
“You keep a lookout.I’ll look.”
“I’m law enforcement.”
“I’d recognize what might help a divorce lawyer.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.He had a point.“Fine.”
She stood where she could see the stairs, the elevator, and the entry to the hall that led to the counseling rooms and offices beyond them.Behind her, she was aware of Eric flipping through screens.Her fingers itched to do the flipping.
Teamwork, she reminded herself.
Voices came to her from down the hall.
After a quick check of the stairs and elevator — all clear — she stepped into the hallway.At the far end, Lily, Melody, another female counselor, plus the man she’d seen leaving during last night’s movie on the patio, now dressed more casually in khakis and a pink and yellow shirt, appeared to be in discussion.
She thought it was Melody’s voice — but couldn’t swear to it — saying, “… possible, but I still think something’s not adding up.Those statements contrast with other ones and then the body language.It’s like they’re drawn to each other, then ricochet away.And when they do, other indicators point toward divorce—”
“Never say the D word,” the other counselor said.
“Bad for business,” contributed the guy.
Melody continued her musing.“I don’t understand the mix at all.Not sure what’s going on…”
The other counselor chuckled.“Well, if that’s all, welcome to the club.”
Melody did not seem amused.They must have shifted, because her voice came more fragmented.“…hard time getting a consistent read … body language says one thing — like why are they even here?But their checklist answers were all over … Don’t even agree what the problem is…”
Those last two fragments caught K.D.Was Melody talking about her and Eric?
That could be trouble.Real trouble.
If their counselor started questioning the reality of their relationship—
The other counselor said, “Could be a situation where the chemistry’s there, but the compatibility isn’t.”
As the group made subtle shifting movements that indicated they were about to break up, K.D.retreated back around the corner.
The stairs, entry, and elevator remained clear.Eric never lifted his head, but clearly knew she was there from his soft-voiced, “Buy me more time.”
