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“Yes.” She nodded. “He’s told you about losing his wife, right?
About how hard it was for him—for the whole family—to get past
it?”
Katie stared across the table, suddenly uncomfortable. “Yes…”
she began.
“Then be careful with them,” Jo said, her tone serious. “All of
them. Don’t break their hearts.”
In the awkward silence that followed, Katie found herself
recalling their first conversation about Alex.
Did you two ever see each other? she remembered asking Jo.
Yes, but maybe not in the way you’re thinking, Jo had answered. And
just so we’re clear: it was a long time ago and everyone has moved on.
At the time, she’d assumed that it meant that Jo and Alex had
dated in the past, but now…
She was struck by the obviousness of the conclusion. The
counselor Alex had mentioned, who had seen the kids and
consulted with him in the aftermath of Carly’s death—it must
have been Jo. Katie sat up straight. “You worked with Alex and
the kids, didn’t you? After Carly died, I mean.”
“I’d rather not say,” Jo answered. Her tone was measured and
calm. Just like a counselor’s. “I can say that all of them… mean a
lot to me. And if you’re not serious about a possible future with
them, I think you should end it now. Before it’s too late.”
Katie felt her cheeks flush; it seemed inappropriate—
presumptuous, even—for Jo to be talking to her like this. “I’m not
sure any of this is really your concern,” she said, her voice tight.
Jo acknowledged her point with a reluctant nod. “You’re right. It’s
not my concern—and I’m crossing some important boundaries
here. But I really do think they’ve been through enough. And the