Page 100 of A Convenient Secret

Saar started volunteering at the shelter after she quit her modeling career. To her husband’s initial chagrin, it ended up with them owning an adorable kitten, and recently they adopted a traumatized dog.

I hover with the kids above a box with four tiny kittens. “You can pet them, but with your finger only. Super gently.”

“Is Auntie cleaning kitty poop?” Zach, with his arms crossed over his chest, wrinkles his nose.

“Yes, she is preparing fresh litter for the cats.” I smile, watching Zoya’s attempts to be gentle.

“I think I’m a dog person,” Zach says firmly, and walks down the long corridor lined with largecages.

“Once I’m finished here, we will take some of them for a walk, okay?” Saar comes back with the box.

“Lily, can we take these cute kittens home?” Zoya pulls at my sleeve.

“They’re too young for that, and you’d need to talk to your dad about it, not me.” I try to pull her toward the dogs, hoping that would take that pout off her face.

Her father will kill me if I add a pet to his overwhelming list of responsibilities. He would probably scowl at the added responsibility of having that conversation with Zoya.

The few days since the gala have passed in bliss, with me mostly being busy with the kids because Declan had to leave on an unexpected business trip. I thought the distance would dim the sparkle, but the man calls me every morning and every night like clockwork.

It’s exhilarating and confusing. It deepens the intimacy between us, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. It’s like we jumped into this whirlpool of something that doesn’t feel casual, but we’re avoiding the complexity of our union.

“Okay, let’s get the leashes,” Saar announces, and Zoya skips behind her while Zach walks with his spine straight, eyeing everything with curious disinterest—an oxymoron to some, a perfectly mastered ability to this little man.

We get coffees on the way to the nearby dog run, and sit on a bench while the dogs and the kids run around. Or Zoya runs, and Zach roams behind like her bodyguard.

“You finally shed the ugly glasses.” Saar nudges my shoulder.

Shit. “I guess I liked the contacts at the gala.” I shrug, hating that I lie to my friend. Yet again.

“You looked great. You’re such a beautiful woman, Lily. You need to own it.”

“Thank you. I’ll try.”

“Are you okay?” She eyes me for a moment, but then returns her attention to the running dogs.

I sigh. “Have you ever kept a big secret from Corm?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“I haven’t been completely forward about my past with you and the girls, and sometimes, I feel like I’m lying to you.”

“Lils, I figured there are things you’re not ready to share. You came here to pursue an acting career was what you told Cora at first, but you never go for any auditions. I wondered if those glasses and hair were perhaps a disguise. The long sleeves in this heat are also not completely normal. And, yes, my ego demands you tell me what the story is, but then I respect thatyou’re not ready to share. Or that you can’t for whatever reason.”

My eyes well up. “Thank you.” I wipe a tear. “I didn’t realize you’re so observant. Do Celeste and Cora know?”

“Yeah, Celeste says we’re crazy, but Cora and I, we have a bet running. She thinks you’re in witness protection.”

I gape at her. “For real?”

“Are you?”

“No.” I chuckle nervously.

“You wouldn’t be able to tell me, anyway. My money is on a murder.”

In the midst of a sip, I almost spit out my coffee. “You think I murdered someone?” I whisper.

She shrugs, mischief in her eyes. “It’s always the unsuspected ones.”