Source One

descended over Amber like a thick layer of fog.
    Earlier in the week, she had gone to a branch of Cal Coast Bank. Asked for help figuring out what happened.
    She’d waited to speak with the branch manager. Waited as he looked into it.
    A frustrating hour later, Amber still had no answers. The manager had no additional information.
    In her heart, Amber knew that Brian wouldn’t press charges against her.
    Ironically, if he did, maybe someone would try harder. Try harder to uncover the real perpetrator.
    With a heavy heart, Amber walked into the bathroom and started the shower.
    ***
    Brian stared out his office window. He’d thrown himself into work the last couple of weeks.
    He’d known deep down that Amber had been too good to be true.
    He’d rushed into dating her. Had thrown himself into a relationship he’d had no business being in. Christ, Diana had barely been gone a year.
    He hadn’t been thinking properly. Hadn’t been thinking at all.
    He’d blindly followed his heart. Overlooked the red flags. Now he and Katie were paying the price.
    Brian began to pace. He tugged his hand through his hair. It was fine to be angry. Anger served a purpose. But he refused to allow the feelings of grief in again.

CHAPTER 20
     
    It was mid-May. Amber had just gotten home. She opened the refrigerator and sighed.
    There was absolutely no food here. She hadn’t cooked anything - made a real meal – since Brian had broken up with her.
    Like it or not, it was time to go shopping.
    Amber pushed the cart down the produce aisle twenty minutes later. She put lettuce and tomatoes into her cart.
    She’d make a cobb salad. The grocery store sold chicken precut into strips. Amber reached for a package and then pulled her hand back.
    She’d get a rotisserie chicken instead. Then she’d have leftovers. She pushed her cart toward the meat department.
    “Amber?.......Amber?”
    The voice startled Amber out of her thoughts. She looked up. It was Max, a resident she’d worked with in the E.R. two years before.
    When she’d first started working at the hospital, she’d had a secret crush on Max. Dark hair, dark eyes, strong jawline – he was a heartthrob.
    But now, as she looked at him, Brian’s image superseded.
    “I thought that was you.”
    “How are you, Max?”
    “I’m doing okay.”
    Max was studying her. “Listen. I heard about everything that happened last year. I wanted to call you. I’m sorry I never did.”
    Amber drew in a breath. A few months ago, she would have been embarrassed if someone had brought up how she’d lost her job. Now, she didn’t even care.
    She looked up at Max. “Please don’t worry about it.”
    “Where are you working now?”
    “In an office.”
    “No more nursing?”
    Amber shook her head. “Well, I’d better be going. It was nice to see you.”
    “Amber, wait.” Max grabbed her arm.
    Amber stopped and turned back to Max.
    “I have the whole weekend off for once. Come out to dinner with me Saturday?”
    Amber licked her lips. She opened her mouth to say no.
    Is sitting home alone better? What harm would it do to go out with Max?
    Amber debated another moment then nodded. “Thank you. I’d like that.”
    ***
    Amber and Max sat at a table in an Italian restaurant that Saturday night.
    Amber told him about her arrest.
    Max sat back against his chair. “I had a feeling it was something like that.”
    He told her about medical school on the East Coast. It was now his third year as a resident. He said he’d been engaged in college but barely had time to date now.
    “What about you, Amber?”
    “I was seeing someone until recently.” Amber pressed her lips together as thoughts of Brian came to the forefront of her mind.
    Max raised his brow. “So, what kind of business do you work for?”
    Amber told him about Sumner Systems. “And I worked for a company called Source One before that.”
    Max frowned. “Source One?”
    Amber nodded. “Have you heard of it?”
    “Nichols’ wife, Diana.  She was my fiancée.”
    Amber ’s pulse rocketed. She sucked in a breath as she stared at Max. “Did you know she passed away?”
    “Yes.” Max’s eyes burned into Amber’s.  “Is Nichols the guy you were seeing?”
    Amber squeezed her hands together. “Yes.”
    Max stared down at his drink.  “I see.”
    They sat in silence.
    “Why did you break up?” Amber finally asked.
    Max inhaled a sharp breath.  “I had gotten into medical school here and on the East Coast.  Diana