Page 49 of First Date: Divorce
“You can quit kissing now.”
*
After the last picture of the “reception,” Kendra left to start editing.The rest of them stayed to clean up and consume more of Ellyn’s feast.
The awkwardness from the enforced intimacy between strangers — because Eric and she were strangers and that’s why it had been so weird — dissipated in that relaxed atmosphere.
K.D.had never had more than a few friends.Her closest friend from college died unexpectedly two years ago of an undiagnosed heart ailment.With work and her irregular schedule, she didn’t have much opportunity to build new friendships.She was cordial with the guys at work, but not friends.
It would be … nice to be part of a group like this.
She and Eric didn’t start back to Bardville until the early morning hours.
With each mile farther away from Far Hills Ranch and that relaxed group, it felt as if the tension between her and Eric regained ground.
Abruptly, she asked, “Why are you really doing this?Do you believe in…?”
Without moving his head, his eyes came to her.
“Doesn’t matter whether I believe or not, taking advantage of people’s emotional vulnerability for financial gain is wrong.Scum.And it pisses me off it’s somebody in my profession.As if we didn’t have enough of an image problem.”His expression shifted, hardened as he added, “People who are trying to work out their differences and stay married shouldn’t become crime victims.”
He clearly meant that.An element to file away for later examination.In regards to how it might affect her investigation.
“Or, more simply,” he continued, “people I like asked for my help.”
That was part of it, too.But not all.
Although, hedidlike people, and they liked him.
She was less sure about her own feelings.
About people.
Not about Eric Larkin.
She had nofeelingsabout him.This was an assignment.Unorthodox, true, but an assignment.
That’s why she was interested in why he was doing this.
After a pause, he added, “You?”
“Same.It’s a crime.It’s wrong.It’s low, picking on people trying to be happy.”
“Always back to law enforcement, huh.”
“What does that mean?”When he didn’t respond, she didn’t drop it.“You’re always going back to being a lawyer.It’s no different.They’re our professions.”
“It’s different.”She heard a new sharpness in his voice.“You hide behind your badge as an excuse to close off, never let anybody in.”
“You don’t even have the excuse of a badge—”
“I don’t close other people out—”
“You do.Oh, sure, you’ll say something now and then that makes it sound like you’re being open, but you’re not.If you were, you couldn’t be part of this.Too many people would know the truth about your marriage and divorce.”
His jaw went rigid.
Keeping his eyes on the road, he said, with considerably less lightness than usual, “Well, I think we’ve got material to work with for Marriage-Save.As long as you don’t mention being part ofthis.”
