Chapter 56

“Alan,” Jim murmurs, “I know you’re worried what I might think of you using your nephew to get my attention. Dropping him off at the mall after hours, payinghim to get me to take him home. And then this, today. But I have to tell you, none of it’s your fault.”

He stares at Alan so intensely, Alan can’t look away. His next words are a whisper in the darkness.

“It’s mine.”

Alan frowns, studying Jim. What the hell’s he talking about?

After a long moment, when nothing else is forthcoming, Alan says, “I’m not following. How do you figure any of this is your fault?”

One corner of Jim’s mouth twists up, and it finally dawns on Alan that Jim’s struggling not to smile. He’s glad someone sees the humor in the situation. “What?”

Jim sighs and kisses the tip of Alan’s nose. “Do you remember the first time you saw me? I mean, really noticed me. When was it?”

Pretty sure this is a trick question, Alan says, “When I accidentally backed into you at the café. Isn’t that when we met?”