“When?”
“Five years ago.”
“Where?”
“Claire—”
“Where?”
“At a conference in Phoenix.”
I remembered that trip.
Ryan had supposedly attended a three-day sales conference.
Megan had told me Lena happened to live nearby.
I remembered joking:
“Tell Ryan to take her to dinner. She doesn't know anyone there.”
I had suggested it.
I sat down before my legs stopped cooperating.
Dawson stared at the floor.
Megan continued.
“They were both drinking.”
I snapped:
“Don't.”
She stopped.
“Don't use alcohol to make two married adults sound weather-related.”
Ryan was married.
Lena had been single.
But Lena also knew me.
Not well.
Enough.
“What happened after she became pregnant?”
“She didn't tell him.”
“Not then.”
“Why?”
“She didn't want him.”
I laughed through tears.
“Comforting.”
“She wanted Oliver.”
“She loved him.”
“So Ryan didn't know?”
“Not until last year.”
That changed something.
Not enough.
“How?”
“Lena got sick.”
The aneurysm had not been entirely sudden.
