"I'm okay. I moved to Austin for a while. Came back last year. My business is good."
Austin.
The irony was almost too perfect.
We both noticed it.
Ashley laughed first.
"Actual Austin this time."
I laughed too.
The tension loosened.
"I never thanked you for sending the records," I said.
"You didn't owe me thanks."
"Maybe not. I'm giving it anyway."
She looked down.
"I was selfish. Even before I knew how much he lied, I knew enough to ask better questions. I didn't because I wanted the answer he was giving me."
"You already told me that."
"I know. I guess I needed to say it without hiding behind a phone."
I studied her face.
There was no reason to punish her with silence.
There was also no reason to offer intimacy we did not have.
"I accepted your apology a long time ago," I said. "That doesn't mean I forgot what happened."
"I wouldn't expect you to."
Michael approached carrying two coffees.
He looked from Ashley to me without recognition.
I introduced them simply.
"Michael, this is Ashley Monroe. Ashley, Michael Grant."
No label.
No explanation.
Ashley shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too."
Her boarding group was called.
She adjusted the strap of her bag.
"Take care, Valerie."
"You too."
She walked away.
Michael waited until she disappeared into the boarding line.
"Was that the Ashley?"
"Yes."
He handed me my coffee.
"You okay?"
I checked.