I didn’t wait for Patrick or Sterling to make a decision as I raced back to the other side of my desk, opening the drawer and fishing out my purse. Removing my cell phone, I swiped the screen, bringing it to life.

WINNIE was on the screen. I opened the text message.

“KENNI, I’M SO SORRY. I HAD NO IDEA. LOUISA WAS WORRIED. SHE DOESN’T KNOW. I THOUGHT I WAS HELPING. WILL YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?”

I looked up from the screen and then turned it ...