A heartbeat later, Eric hung up, and Lily burst into tears.
Ben scooped her into his arms and stroked her back.
When her tears subsided, she turned tear-filled eyes to Ian. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry you had to do that. I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been.”
Or how much it must’ve hurt to hear her father say all of those things.
Ian suddenly realized that coming here was a bad idea, but it was too late to take it back.
Lily and Ben insisted on feeding them, but Ian couldn’t touch any of the food. He was all too relieved to get back in the car an hour later and continue their drive back to Falmouth.
Lily’s grief-stricken face remained with him during the drive back.
As soon as they passed the city limits, Ian’s other phone went off. “I need you to drop me off at the station, Uncle Frankie.”
Uncle Frankie pulled up next to the curb outside the station and twisted to face his nephew. “Don’t worry. We’re going to get him. You’re not alone, kid.”
Ian gave him an unconvincing smile. “Thank you all for coming with me today. I’m sorry it was a bust.”
He kept his head ducked as he hurried out of the car and raced up the stairs, never once looking back.
You need to stop dragging people into this mess before it’s too late.
Chapter Eleven
“You look beautiful tonight.”
Lucy blushed and set down her menu. “You told me that already.”
“It’s true.”
Ian leaned forward and took her hand in his. Using his thumb, he stroked the inside of her wrist and marveled at how soft her skin felt. Beneath the dim lighting of the restaurant, she absolutely took his breath away in her knee-length floral dress with stockings and brown ankle-length boots underneath.
All these years later, she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever met.
And she still made his heart race whenever she smiled at him.
For the first time in a long time, Ian didn’t feel like he was standing on the edge of a precipice with an entire mountain between them. Since the night he’d held her in his arms and let her cry, Lucy’s entire attitude had changed, and he could feel her softening toward him.
He just needed a little more time to get her to open up.
“Suzie told me about what happened with the PI’s son.” Lucy took a few sips of her wine and eyed him over the rim. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
Ian shrugged. “I’ll figure something else out.”
Lucy squeezed his hand back. “You know you can talk to me about it, right?”
Ian gave her the ghost of a smile. “I know, but let’s talk about something else. The therapist said it’s important to focus onusduring these dates, not the outside world.”
“You’re really taking therapy very seriously,” Lucy murmured, pausing to unfold her napkin and drape it over her lap. “Where did you find her anyway?”
“Sophia.”
Lucy nodded. “I see.”
Ian glanced around the full restaurant, where well-dressed people sat across from each other and quiet music played in the background. Then he swung his gaze back to his wife, who was quietly sipping on her soup.
