Katie eyed her current boyfriend and her ex-boyfriend through the sliding glass doors, who were drinking beers and grilling outside. She gave them a little wave and smiled weakly. They both waved back, Jack enthusiastically, happy she had survived whatever was happening in the bathroom. 

Jack had put on his apron that Katie got him for Christmas that said “Olive You!” with an olive in a chef’s hat blowing kisses. It was corny, but made Katie smile. Just like Jack.

“If I tell Tyler the truth, there’s a chance it could bring us closer together again,” Katie started, pouring herself some seltzer water from the refrigerator. “But there’s an actual reason I have to keep my distance. It’s not just guilt, or pride, or whatever.”

“What do you mean?” Grace had perched herself on the countertop.

“Tyler’s father...is a powerful man,” Katie began.

“Duh,” Grace said, knowing exactly who Tyler’s father was. “I assumed it was Daddy who got him set up with the internship.”

“I don’t think it works exactly like that,” Katie felt the need to defend Tyler from the accusations of being a “Daddy’s boy,” which she knew he hated. “Tyler is his own man, as much as his father hates it.”

“But that said,” she continued, taking a swig of the seltzer, “he never exactly brought me around his parents much before the accident.”

“Why? You’re awesome,” Grace seemed genuinely surprised. “Any guy would be lucky to have you charm his parents.”

“These parents, though, they’re...complicated.” Katie had always tried to give Tyler and his family the benefit of the doubt, even though it of course hurt her feelings that his parents never seemed to trust her, even before the accident.

“I get it,” Katie said, trying to explain. “I mean they’re so rich. I have a feeling there were always people around in their lives trying to take advantage, or work their way in for some ulterior motive.”

“But not you,” Grace said, stating it as a matter of fact.

“No, of course not. None of that ever mattered to me. I love--loved--Tyler for who he was, before I had any idea about his inheritance.” Katie couldn’t help but sneak a look at Tyler out the window, who seemed to be giving Jack pointers. Tyler always was a helper.

“The thing is though,” Katie continued, “his parents never really got to see up close how much we really loved each other, how real it was. I doubt they knew he was planning to propose, even though the ring was a family heirloom. I assume they thought I was just another...user.”

“Wait, pause, tell me more about this ring.” Grace loved accessories. Especially vintage.

“It was beautiful,” Katie said, wistfully. “Simple, not too flashy, just the right amount of sparkle. Three stones--for past, present, and future.” She seemed lost in the memory of it. “It was his Grandmother’s.”

“Where is it now?” Grace wondered out loud.

“It’s not important,” Katie deflected. Grace narrowed her eyes while Katie continued.

“The part that matters is that night at the hospital, after the crash, I went to Tyler’s room to see him, and his parents were there. I’m not even sure his mother saw me. But his father definitely did.” Katie shuddered with the memory.

“I’m sure he was a wreck,” Grace mused. 

“He didn’t seem like it,” Katie said, with a hint of anger in her voice. “In fact, he seemed pretty capable of making decisions.” 

“Like what?” Grace asked.

“He told me,” Katie’s voice began to shake again, “that it was all my fault. And if I ever saw Tyler again, he’d ‘ruin’ me.”

“Ruin you? What does that even mean?” Grace seemed confused.

“I don’t know exactly,” Katie said, “but I can imagine. When Mr. June has enemies, they tend to end up homeless, penniless, or...worse. Remember the story about the Redford twins? A couple years ago?”

“Vaguely.” Grace thought for a minute. “Wait, are those the hot finance bros who are in prison for fraud?”

“Yep,” Katie nodded.

“Double trouble,” Grace smiled.

“More importantly,” Katie cut her friend off from going down that road. “They were working for Mr. June. The rumor is they were on track to have a senior level position at the company and got too greedy, started skimming off investors’ earnings. A lot of people thought they’d get a slap on the wrist, but Mr. June has friends in the Justice Department. He made sure they’ll never see the outside of a prison cell for the rest of their lives.”

“Interesting,” Grace started to remember. “And wasn’t there also something about a dog…?” 

“Yeah--Mr. Puddles. Belonged to Peter Redford. And mysteriously disappeared around the time of the trial.” Katie said, waving her hand, “Poof. Gone.”

“You don’t think…” Grace trailed off. 

“All I know is Mr. June seems like the kind of guy who if he wants you gone, you’re gone. And he will do whatever it takes to get his point across,” Katie said sadly. 

“Surely after all this time, if he knew how much Tyler loved you...?” Grace wondered hopefully.

“I don’t know if I can chance it. If Mr. June can’t punish me, I’m worried he’ll go after my mom--he’s ruthless, G.” Katie seemed resigned to her fate.

“Ok, so…” Grace was thinking, as she turned her body to look at the men again, and saw Katie also staring between the two of them, in anguish. “If you can’t tell Tyler, you have to tell Jack.”

Katie seemed startled. “Grace, I can’t. Jack and I don’t keep secrets. I’ll have to explain why I’ve been hiding this for so long.”

“And the longer you wait, the worse it will be,” Grace replied, gently. “He loves you, Katie. He’ll understand. Maybe he’ll even help you come up with a plan. But you have to be honest. Or you’ll hurt him as much as you’re worried about hurting Tyler.”

Katie took this in. “I know. You’re right. I just have to figure out the right way to explain.”

“Jack is a good guy, Katie. In fact, he’s a great guy. I get that Tyler was your past, but Jack is your future. Do what you need to do to keep him,” Grace was matter of fact as she started pouring another glass of champagne. “C’mon, let’s join them outside. Get some air.”

“I just...need a minute to process,” Katie said. 

Grace squeezed her hand and started to the door, then turned back. “I’m really glad you told me. And I’ll keep your secret as long as you want. But you do have to tell them, too. Ok?”

Katie just nodded and tried to smile, as Grace exited outside. Had she made the right choice by telling Grace? As much as she wanted to believe Grace could keep this secret, deep down Katie knew she had started a ticking clock. It was only a matter of time before the truth would come out, one way or another.