Page 56 of Rivals and Liars

"Hey, baby," she says softly as she settles in.

"Hey. I'm guessing you're out already — how'd it go?" Kate asks, her voice gentle.

"Good. I think Isaac made the right call. The attorney seems really sharp. She said filing both complaints together carries more weight, so she'll have everything ready and we'll sign it when you're back."

"That works. How are you doing? I'm sorry I couldn't be there with you."

Leire smiles to herself, but it's a bitter smile, because no matter how much they've talked about it, she can't stop thinking about all the times Kate needed her and she wasn't there — and it's a guilt she knows she'll carry for a long time.

"I'm okay. Isaac came with me. He's been really great."

"I'm glad, sweetheart. I miss you."

"I miss you too. How's your back?"

"Good. Thomas switched up some of my exercises — we're adjusting as we go. Once we're settled, I'll need to find someone local, but he said not to worry, that he'll make sure to explain my situation thoroughly to whoever takes over."

"It'll be fine, Kate. I can ask Isaac to tap his contacts and put together a list of the best people available. If we need to, we could spend some time in Madrid before we move to the island — at least until you don't need as many sessions."

Kate hadn't thought of that, but Leire is right: it'll be much easier to find specialists in the city than in a small, out-of-the-way town like hers.

"Good idea."

Leire smiles.

"How's your family? They must hate me now that they know the whole story."

"They're fine. They might hate you a little," Kate teases, trying to lighten the weight she hears in her girl's voice. "Especially my brother Conor — but they'll come around once they meet you. Don't worry."

Leire's stomach knots, but she nods, ready to face whatever comes.

"Leire…" Kate whispers. "Come on, talk to me. You seem far away, and you don't have to be strong for me."

Her throat closes for a second. Then she swallows and manages a small smile.

"I feel strange after all of this. Like I keep doing things I put off for too long, and now I don't know what to do with myself — I'm not sure how to explain it better than that," she admits.

"You explained it just fine, sweetheart. It's a lot. So many changes at once, and wrapping your head around reporting your own father — that's not easy."

"No. But I'm committed to it and I don't regret it. If he did this to me, what could he do to someone he doesn't even care about?"

"Exactly."

"I really want to see you," she murmurs suddenly, and Kate, sitting in her parked car, feels her stomach flutter with longing.

"I want to see you too, but it's two weeks. They'll go fast."

"I know. Listen, there's something I wanted to run by you."

"Go ahead."

"What would you think if I gave Candela Valle an exclusive interview?"

"For what?" Kate doesn't follow.

"To talk about me — and about us. I want to tell the whole story from the beginning," Leire explains, standing and resuming her walk.

"Why?"