All Dressed in White (Under Suspicion #2)(72)

“It’s not like you’re moving thousands of miles away.”

“No, but as I’ve told you, I have accepted a number of cases in federal courts, which will mean a lot of traveling in the coming months.”

Laurie looked down at the floor. For the first time she noticed how beautiful this hallway rug was. Would she ever see it again?

It was just as she had told her father: if it’s meant to be, it will happen naturally. They shouldn’t have to overthink it. But deep down she knew that wasn’t true. She wasn’t letting it happen. And Alex wasn’t leaving the show because of his law practice. He was leaving because he was in love with her. She was holding back and she knew why. She still missed Greg so much. She just wasn’t ready to replace him.

“Did you see Walter and Sandra tonight?” She knew she was looking for something to talk about so she wouldn’t need to say good-bye. “It looks as though they made it through. Some couples are soul mates, meant to be.”

“And sometimes people have more than one,” Alex said. “Look at Jeff. He loved Amanda, and now he loves Meghan. You see how happy they are.”

His point wasn’t lost on Laurie. “Good night, Alex.” They held each other in the foyer, his only kiss a gentle one on her lips.

Laurie had no idea what Alex was thinking about as she walked out the door. It was a line from his favorite song: God speed your love to me.

? ? ?

Timmy was waiting in the lobby, trying to mask an involuntary grin. She couldn’t imagine anything else that could have made her smile at that moment.

“Mom, I feel sorry for all my friends,” he said mischievously.

“And why is that?” She looked to Leo for some hint of the punch line she sensed was coming, but he was sporting his poker face.

“Because their moms aren’t nearly as cool as you are. You catch the bad guys.”

When he hugged her, she thought it might be the best hug she’d ever had. She found herself looking forward to tomorrow. She had already found their next case. A young woman was in prison for a crime she didn’t commit, and Laurie was going to prove it.

And Alex—when I’m able to open my heart again, please, God, let him be there.