Two weeks after the therapy session, Kassie and Daniel made the drive south. Emma was bouncing in the back seat, excited to see Lindy. Kassie was gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly, trying to manage her anxiety.
“You okay?” Daniel asked quietly.
“Yeah. Just nervous.”
“We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready.”
“No. We do. Dr. Rodriguez was right. We have to try.”
They’d decided to keep it simple for this first trip. Kassie and Daniel would stay at a hotel. Daniel would pick up Lindy Saturday morning and they’d all go to lunch together—casual, public, low pressure. Then Daniel would spend the afternoon with Lindy while Kassie did her own thing. Sunday they’d try breakfast as a group before heading home.
The plan was reasonable. Manageable.
It lasted about fifteen mi
