Page 66 of Even if It Hurts

Kaia’s little legs kicked against my stomach as if she might try to take off running next, but before I could readjust her again, my gaze caught on what Kaia must’ve already seen, and I knew I would withstand any crowd just to see this.

In her slim-fitting, denim overalls, white shirt, and boots, Lainey looked like she belonged here. But even from where we stood, I could tell she was uncomfortable from the way shewas walking—head down, body stiff, arms practically wrapped around her waist as if trying to hold herself together.

I just wasn’t sure if it was due to being at the place that bothered her so much, remnants from words she’d overheard and still didn’t understand, or the conversation she was having with the blonde at her side.

But as if she was so in tune with my niece, Kaia’s excited screech had Lainey’s head snapping up from where she was walking dozens of feet away. As if all the other sounds and distractions of the chaos around us were nothing in comparison.

Surprise flitted across her face for the briefest second before she was smiling one of those smiles that gripped at my heart, making it pump harder and harder. But just as she started hurrying our way, she slowed and that smile faltered, making me want to fall to my knees and beg her to let me explain...to believe me.

“What are y’all doing here?” Lainey asked once the distance between us had been erased. She eagerly reached for Kaia, her eyes locking on her in a way that told me she was trying not to look at me. “I thought you needed me at two.”

“I do,” I told her as I watched her make excited faces at my niece and desperately tried not to let it affect me. “We’re, uh...we’re out of blueberries.”

“Already?” she asked with a soft laugh. “They’re good, aren’t they?”

They were, and wewereout, but that wasn’t why we were there.

I just wasn’t sure what my true reason for coming was, and I didn’t think she’d believe me if I said I’d needed to see her in a place that wasn’t her job. Then again...I guessed this sort of was too.

“Let’s get you so, so many blueberries so you don’t run out anytime soon,” she said to Kaia without waiting for a responsefrom me, her eyes big and bright as she made my niece laugh. And, man, if that didn’t touch another part of my ruined soul—the way she connected with Kaia as if she genuinely adored her.

“And then I’ll take you back to see the animals you loved oh-so much,” she was still saying to my niece as she turned, only to come to a stop when the same blonde I’d first seen her with slipped up beside Lainey, already speaking to me.

“Yes, I find you attractive. Yes, I’m single. And, yes, you can take me out tonight.”

“Wren,” Lainey snapped in a reprimanding tone.

“Not now,” the new girl—Wren—said, lifting a hand close to Lainey’s face to keep her from talking, “making memories to tell our grandkids later.”

Lainey’s eyes shifted to me for the briefest second before falling away, but I would’ve sworn there had been a deep sadness mixing with jealousy there. “This is Wren...my sister,” she began somewhat hesitantly as she cradled Kaia closer to her as if needing the comfort. “Wren, this is Asher Briggs, my boss.”

Wren’s eyes brightened with excitement and mischief as she inched closer. “The Jerk?”

Horror sliced across Lainey’s expression, but before I could ask if that was a more recent title or not, Wren continued.

“If I would’ve knownyouwere on the other side of the stories all this time, I would’ve demanded to meet you sooner.” She flipped back a chunk of hair that didn’t have any of Lainey’s curl and asked, “So, what time can I expect you tonight?”

“Not interested.”

Wren studied me for a second, seemingly taken aback before shrugging it off. “Your answer will change. You can get my number from Lainey when it does.”

“It won’t,” I assured her when she turned to leave.

She patted Lainey’s shoulder patronizingly. “It’s admirable you wanna play righteous bossman in front of my sister, but youdon’t have to.” With a wave of her hand, she called out, “See you soon,” and sauntered away.

“I’m not interested,” I repeated, this time to make sure Lainey understood.

She lifted a shoulder but kept her stare on Kaia. “I know.”

Right.

Because she was already fully aware anything I said was the truth, which was why there was a strain between us in the first place.

“So, blueberries?” she suggested, already turning and heading away from me. And for a second, I just watched her go.

Watched the way she easily drifted through the crowd, talking with people as she did. Watched the natural and effortless way she held Kaia, whereas I still felt like I was carrying around a bomb whenever I held her. Watched her glance over her shoulder, as if searching me out, before hurrying to look away when she found me studying her.

And as I started after them, I wondered if she had any idea the kind of hold she’d had on me for so much longer than she’d truly been in my life. Or maybe abusive boyfriends and twisted truths were too thick a cloud to see through.

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