"Yes, Don. Ask him about that vaccine. He told me it's bad."
Constance noticed something strange in her notes. "Does he really live at the same address as you?"
Nick chuckled. "Yeah. He and Irene and their daughter live upstairs from me. They have the top three floors, I get the garage." He smiled. "The same room I had when I was a kid."
They stashed him in the garage? Suddenly she didn't think his adoptive parents were very nice. She wondered what sort of scars would be left when their real son got a bedroom but the adopted son got the garage. "Why did you live in the garage when you were a kid?"
Nick grinned. "Because it's the best room in the house. And the first room I ever had that was my own. I guess I can't seem to let it go. Besides, it's cozy, just the right size for me." He laughed a little. "Have you seen it? Is the news showing pictures of the pervy principal's hovel?"
She shrugged. "Sorry, I don't watch the news."
"Too busy going out in high society?"
Oh, so he's back to being testy again. "Contrary to what you may think, I almost never go out in high society." She leveled her gaze at him.
"So you prefer the poor slobs in the city jail? Hardly seems fitting for a Westerley."
"You can't be that poor, Nick. You're a school principal."
"Well, yeah. I do okay. I even own my home. But I can't afford to fight this porn charge. They told me that the legal fees would ruin me. So it looks like I'm stuck with you." They stared at each other for a few seconds.
Nick finally turned away and twisted his mouth. "Speaking of being stuck, I've got to ask you something. How come you stare at me so much?"
Constance snapped to attention, then looked away. A hot flush filled her body. "I'm really sorry for staring. You. . ." Now he was on to her-she had to tell him something. "You look like someone who I've known for ten years. The similarities are kind of shocking." She lowered her head. "I'll try not to stare as much."
"So what's this guy's name, who looks so much like me?"
She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about that person. I apologize for staring, Nick. It won't happen again."
A prickly heat started to consume her. She needed to cool off. "Excuse me, please. It's a bit hot in here." Constance stood up to remove her jacket. She unbuttoned it and shrugged it from her shoulders. Free from the heavy wool, she already felt better.