THE RESTAURANT RESIDED on the top floor, and we carried our cappuccinos to a booth tucked into a far corner. Neither of us said anything, as we emptied sugar into our mugs and stirred the liquid into a swirl of froth.
I placed my spoon aside and took a sip. “So ... you asked if you could come home?”
Beth nodded.
“What did Nate say?” I asked, lowering my mug.
“At first?” She sighed. “You’d think I’d suggested we go bungee jumping, or something equally radical.”
I took another sample of my coffee.
She went to take a drink, too, but paused in the motion. “Okay, I offered you the truth, so I’ll give it.” She blew out a small breath. “I used you being there with them as a bartering tool. I waited ... to see how everything worked out for you—”
“How much has Nate told you about my life sin
