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“They don’t have to believe it if they don’t want to If I actually said it…”

“Yeah…” Ian nodded slowly, then reached over to Paul and touched his cheek His expression reiven him after Sara died

“I’ain,” Paul said

“Yeah,” Ian said “Me too”

Two days later, Mike Davis caht in the chair in front of Paul’s desk with his legs spread wide and his hands resting on his knees His expression was accusatory

“I need to talk to you about Ian Finnerty,” he said

Even though he was not surprised by the purpose of Mike’s visit, Paul felt his heart skip a beat at the mention of Ian “What about him?”

“This is a little bit aard forhis words carefully “People are concerned about your relationship with him”

People What a joke Mike was the one as fueling all the rumors and discussion

“They’re concerned?” Paul asked in an even tone

“No one has a probleaya lot of tiht look to people?”

“How does it look?”

“Suspicious”

“You’re ly It isn’t”

“This is serious, Paul There are soht words—“deeply concerned about this I’ve known you a long tiive you the benefit of the doubt, but you have the kid living in your house If it’s not what it looks like—if there’s a good reason, explain it to me”