Page 61 of In The Dark

Amelia knew that was so far from the truth: Jo hadn’t uttered her son’s name in months now, but it was all she could offer. She wasn’t the kind of woman who discussed her personal life with other people. That included Jo’s best friend.

“Well.” Ada closed the menu and leaned her elbows on the table. “Slight hiccup with that plan, given you had her moaning your name on the phone last weekend.”

Amelia nearly choked on her breath. “Shetoldyou that?”

“Of course she did.” Ada grinned. “You know Jo. She overshares when she’s feeling guilty. And she was feelingveryguilty.”

Amelia’s cheeks burned. She wanted the ground to open up. “Fucking hell.”

“Relax. I think it’s great.”

Surprised, Amelia lifted her brows. “You do?”

“I think you’reexactlywhat she needs.” Ada shrugged. “Even if neither of you seems capable of saying it out loud.”

Amelia reached for her cup and forced a sip, wincing as the cold liquid slid down her throat. But she’d needed it, regardless of how disgusting it was.

Ada cleared her throat. “You know what’s funny, though?”

“W-what?”

“Back when Jo first went to the club…there was that occasion when you showed up for the first time while she was there.” Ada narrowed her eyes. “I had this crazy theory thatyouwere Lia.”

Amelia stilled. Right now, she couldn’t even blink.

“And now that I’ve said it out loud and seen your face…” Ada angled her head. “I don’t think it’s a crazy theory at all.”

Amelia’s voice caught in her throat. “I-I…”

“You’re not denying it.”

“I…” Amelia shook her head. “I can’t talk about this.”

“Because I’m right?”

Amelia was too stunned to even breathe, never mind answer.

Ada sat back and folded her arms across her chest. As Amelia stared back at her, she noted something protective flickering in her eyes. “You need to tell her.”

“I can’t.”

“Youhaveto.”

“Ican’t, Ada. If I do, she’ll never forgive me.” Amelia forced down a swallow as her throat ran dry. “It was just supposed to befun. A fantasy. I didn’t think she’d come back the next night for more, and I certainly didn’t mean to fall for her.”

Ada lifted her handbag and leaned forward again. “But you did.”

Amelia nodded once as she lowered her gaze to the table. “Y-yes.”

Ada calmly rose to her feet and tucked her chair back under the table. “Then for God’s sake, tell her before she falls in love with a woman who doesn’t exist.”

Amelia slidinto the driver’s seat, her breath fogging the interior as she closed the door. Her keys slipped from her fingers as she tried to slot them into the ignition, her entire body trembling with the fear of Jo finding out the truth from someone whowasn’tAmelia.

“Fuck,” she gripped the steering wheel, her eyes locked on her reflection in the rear-view mirror. Her face was pale, her eyes were dull, and in that moment, Amelia didn’t recognise the woman staring back at her.

Ada knew.

And now that she knew…how long until Jo did?