Page 206 of His Pretty Little Duet

“She’s at kindergarten. And it’s okay. Max still swears around her and she says, ‘sayfrickdaddy.’” Cassidy giggles once, then says, “finish your story.”

I sigh. “Well, he didn’t give a shit about me, and I would have done anything to protect him. So, of course, I would do anything to protect Xander. He was my first friend here. He was the one out of everyone who treated me like an equal.”

“And that means a lot to you, doesn’t it?” she asks sadly. “For someone to just treat you with basic human kindness and interest? Enough for you to risk your life to save that person.” Her throat rolls with emotion. “I knew you had a hard past, but I can actually see it in your actions now.”

“The damage,” I joke, and she smiles a little.

Walking into her beautiful home, I take it all in. It’s large, open plan, and warm with oak-coloured flooring.

“You impressed Max,” she states as though that is the highest of regards. “And he isnotan easy man to impress. I guess that means you’re a Butcher Girl now.” Then the curve of her mouth dances with amusement as she says, “You know, it’s a lot of responsibility being a Butcher Girl. We have a secret clubhouse, meetings, bake sales?—"

I wrap my arms around her in the doorway, the gesture shocking her equally as much as it shocks me. I turn my face into her hair and say, “Thank you.”

She returns my hug. “Don’t thank me. Didn’t I just tell you about all the responsibilities?”

I laugh gently and step back from her. “I’ll do a bake sale any damn day.” Then I take a big breath in and say, “Can I see Max? Is he badly hurt?”

“Of course. He’s in pain, but he’s pretending he’s not. You know how that is… They’re all outside.” She waves a little, saying, “Follow me.”

We walk down the long corridor, well-lit by the windows and glass sliding door at the end. The natural light floods the space, highlighting the family photos lining the white walls. I gaze at pictures as I pass them.

Smiling, I see a lot of Kelly, and Max and Cassidy. Clara too. Then there are some of Bronson and Xander at parties. And finally, wedding photos with the entire family.

A whole collage of photos at a tropical location halts me. My feet unable to move. There is…Clay and Aurora,looking very married.Coupley. Her wedding dress is like nothing I have ever seen before.

Get over it, Fawn.

I am his everything.

I rub my chest. It still hurts to see another woman experience something with him that I never will. I want all his experiences, all ofhim.I may be selfish, needy, but the sting is real, and it flares in the face of their smiling images.

I stare it down. Wish it away. Focus on all the details like a detective might. Faces directed towards the camera. The position of their hands clasped together. The shape of their smiles. Wanting to see a message, a clue, that even then, on that wonderful day, they were only friends. I don’t see it.

I see love.

I find myself glaring at it.

“I had no idea it was an arranged marriage,” Cassidy says, stopping beside me, also looking at the picture, and I try for a smile, but I’ve never been particularly good at feigning them.“So, you can imagine I was shocked, well, by you. But Clay is like a robot. He’s hard to read, and he has this trained charm that he turns on for everyone around him. He is always… I dunno,performing, ya know? Shoshanna says he’s been like that for as long as she has known him.”

I scoff with derision.

She touches my shoulder with hers, a little bump of sorts. “And she told me of a time when she was in high school. Clay picked her up from her house. On the drive, he told her that he would not marry for love. That his love story with Aurora was not real. But he wanted love for his brothers, and he would protect them… He’s not in love with her, Fawn. And he never was, but he knew what it looked like. He saw it in Shoshanna and Bronson when they were just children. He knew it was worth having. Worth protecting. He just sacrificed his own chance at it for them. Until you.”

I sulk. “He looks in love.”

“Little deer.” His voice nearly throws me over with the deep power in the commanding tone.

I twist to see Clay stepping through Max and Cassidy’s front door. His body a formidable machine now sauntering towards me in an expertly tailored navy suit.

My pulse begins to race, just like it always does. My belly swarms with butterflies, vibrating and reminding me he’s still the master of my nerves. How is it that I am not used to this man yet?

He stops close, his essence radiating warmth towards me, and I peer up at him through my blonde lashes. Yep. Out of all the atoms in the world, in the universe, the ones that make up Clay Butcher are far more superior than any others.

“I’m staring at the camera, sweet girl,” he says pointedly. His finger touches my chin, lifting it. “Since the moment I laidmy eyes on you, they have not wanted to be anywhere else.Remember?”

“Naww.” Cassidy swoons, gazing puppy-eyed at us, and Clay doesn’t even flinch, no visual disdain with her cooing over his statement. He is above it. Above embarrassment. “I’ll go,” she adds quietly. “See you two outside. Everyone is out there.”

She wanders away, and I melt into his attention. “I’m glad you’re here, Sir. But now you can go make up with your brother.”

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