PART 8:

After the concert, they went for hot chocolate. Emma was wired on sugar and excitement, talking a mile a minute about how she’d remembered all the words and how her friend Mia had almost fallen off the risers, but caught herself in time. They walked through downtown Aspen, Emma between them, holding both their hands. The streets were decorated for Christmas.

Lights everywhere, shop windows full of expensive things Victoria could buy without thinking but would never need. Emma stopped in front of a toy store, pressed her face to the glass. Look, she breathed. It’s the detective kit. Inside the window was an elaborate detective toy set, magnifying glass, fingerprint kit, evidence bags.

The kind of thing Emma would love. Also, the kind of thing that cost $200. Maybe Santa will bring it, Ryan said carefully. Emma’s face fell slightly. She was old enough to understand that maybe Santa often meant probably not. Victoria made a mental note. she’d buy it tomorrow, have it delivered to Ryan’s apartment, make it anonymous.

” They kept walking. Emma started yawning. By the time they got back to the truck, she was half asleep on her feet. Ryan carried her to the truck, buckled her in. She was asleep before they left the parking lot. “Tonight was perfect,” Ryan said quietly, driving through streets that glittered with Christmas lights. “It was.

” Tori, “I need to tell you something.” Victoria’s stomach dropped. This was it. He’d figured it out. Someone had recognized her. The whole thing was about to explode. “Okay,” she managed. Ryan pulled into a parking lot overlooking the valley, turned off the truck. Emma slept peacefully in the back seat. “I love you,” he said.

Victoria stared at him. “I know it’s only been 3 months,” Ryan continued. “I know that’s probably too soon, but I do. I love you. Emma loves you and I needed you to know that he loved her. He loved Tori Brennan, a woman who didn’t exist. Ryan, you don’t have to say it back. I just needed you to know how I feel. Victoria looked at this man who’d somehow gotten past every defense she’d built, who’d loved her without knowing who she really was, who’d introduced her to his daughter and his sister and his whole life without hesitation. She

should tell him the truth right now. right this second. Before this went any further, instead she heard herself say, “I love you, too.” Ryan smiled, pulled her close, kissed her like she was something precious, and Victoria kissed him back, tasting the lie, hating herself, unable to stop. When they pulled away, Emma was watching them from the back seat, grinning.

“I knew it,” the girl whispered sleepily. “I knew you loved each other.” Ryan laughed. “How long have you been awake?” the whole time. You’re not very sneaky, Dad. They drove back to Ryan’s apartment. Emma went to bed without argument, too tired to negotiate for extra reading time. Ryan made coffee. They sat on his couch.

Victoria curled against him, trying to memorize the feeling. I need to tell you something, Victoria said. Ryan tensed slightly. Okay. I She stopped. Couldn’t do it. Couldn’t watch his face change. Not yet. I’m falling for Emma just as much as I’m falling for you. And that scares me. It wasn’t what she’d meant to say, but it was true.

Why does it scare you? Because I don’t want to hurt her, and I don’t want to hurt you. Ryan pulled back to look at her. You’re not going to hurt us. You don’t know that. Yes, I do. Because you’re not the kind of person who would. He touched her face. I know you, Tori. I know you’re kind. I know you’re patient. I know you show up even when it’s inconvenient.

I know you genuinely care about Emma. Those aren’t things you can fake. But Victoria had been faking everything else. Her job, her apartment, her entire identity. She wanted to tell him. The words were right there, but she couldn’t make them come out. “Just trust me,” Ryan said. “Can you do that?” Victoria nodded, not trusting her voice.

They sat in silence for a while. Then Ryan’s phone buzzed. He checked it, frowned. Everything okay? Victoria asked. Yeah, just work. Someone’s car broke down on Highway 82. They need me to tow it at 10:00 at night. Mechanics don’t keep office hours, he stood, started pulling on his coat. I hate to do this, but can you stay with Emma? I should only be an hour. Of course.

Ryan kissed her forehead. Thank you. There’s beer in the fridge if you want. Emma won’t wake up, but if she does, she knows where everything is. He left. Victoria heard his truck start. Pull away. She sat in the quiet apartment, surrounded by evidence of Ryan’s life. Emma’s artwork on the fridge, books stacked on the coffee table.

A photograph of Ryan and Emma and a woman who must have been Emma’s mother. All of them laughing at something outside the frame. Victoria’s real phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled it out. Sarah, we have a problem. Someone leaked to the press that you’ve been dating. They don’t have details yet, but they’re looking. Victoria’s blood went cold.

How long do I have? Maybe a week, maybe less. You need to get ahead of this. Which meant Victoria needed to tell Ryan the truth now. Before he found out from a newspaper or a gossip site or a well-meaning friend who saw her picture online, she looked around the small apartment at the life she’d built here.

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