"Nicole Edinburg!" Janice announced, and a flurry of applause burst through the room.

I joined in, but my gaze was pinned to a stunned Rick, his face paler than I'd ever seen it. When he glanced toward a pair of side double doors across from Nicole's table, I figured he'd filled his quota of all my truths. Despite my heartache, it felt good to see him squirm.

William was talking to one of the police officers with a pinched expression. He gave the officer a short ...