Page 14 of An Endless Memory

His smile was warm, and I basked in it until he turned his attention to Kellan. “There’s the sleeping champ.”

I could draw a full breath now that his attention was off me. Was this guy for real? He greeted my baby and seemed genuinely delighted to see him. Why couldn’t I have married a guy like him?

I shoved a carrot stick in my mouth.

“Hey, Lily,” Wilder said. “I was out with my brother-in-law the other day to go look at a horse, and I saw your house. That’s a nice place. Well kept up.”

He was making idle conversation. I appreciated it, but also, I’d rather not talk about the house right now. “It’s like a time capsule. Grandma kept the original woodwork.”

Sutton brightened. “You remember Vienne and Austen?”

I nodded. Another devastating brother-in-law of hers with a woman who had all her ducks in a row and not floating off in different directions to get lost in the reeds.

“They redid their house…” Sutton frowned and looked at Wilder. “Was it two years ago?”

“Pretty much,” he answered.

“Now they flip houses—ethically, of course. I’m sure if you need a hand with anything, you only have to ask. They’d be happy to help.”

Wilder nodded. Everyone said they were happy to help. I was like a billboard that screamed, “I’m a mess.”

I stuck with “Thanks” for a reply.

Eliot turned back to Wilder. I gave myself two seconds to ogle the way his butt flexed under the denim. He was the best-looking Knight brother, and it wasn’t just because he was the only single Knight. He seemed the most mellow, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes that called to me.

I was romanticizing him, but I could use a little fantasy. My reality sucked.

“Did you get food yet?” Eliot asked Wilder.

Wilder didn’t look like he wanted to leave his wife’s side.

Eliot pivoted toward me again. “Lily, can I grab anything for you while I’m getting a plate?”

He was so damn polite. His mama had raised him right.

I was trying to think of something just to continue the interaction with him when Sutton’s gaze drifted over my shoulder.

“I’m not sure I know her,” she murmured. “Is she a client here?”

I turned and my stomach slammed to the ground. My aunt was here. Stress lined her face and her frown was sandblasted into her skin.

Linda was outside of the garage, at the edge of the parking lot, talking to River, one of the other techs. River was pointing at me and my aunt nodded.

“I—I do.”

Sutton pinned me with her gray eyes. “You don’t sound thrilled.”

I was not. “She just isn’t the happiest person in the world.” Why did she have to track me down at the open house? “I didn’t realize she was visiting. She’s probably worried about why I’m not at home.” I forced a bright smile, but inside my ribs, my heart hammered until I worried it’d quit and I’d just collapse. The kids would go to my parents. Lily should’ve known better. Lily should’ve told someone. Lily should’ve planned like a grown-up.

Someday, I’d wipe Carter’s voice, and his mother’s, out of my head, but today was not that day.

My aunt spotted me, and her gaze sharpened. Her frown grew impossibly deeper, and she marched in my direction.

“Lily.” Her voice was a whiplash. “A word.”

I smiled at Sutton, panic clawing at my chest. Please spare my dirty laundry from getting aired. “Excuse me, please.”

I put my hand on the stroller to take off the brakes. My throat grew thick, and I wasn’t sure I’d win the battle against my tears.

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