Page 73 of Even if It Hurts

“Monday was an eye-opening day for many reasons,” she said meaningfully.

My mouth parted to once again ask her to let me explain the conversation she’d overheard, but I knew she would shut it down, so I forced the words back and instead asked, “Wouldn’t that be better then? For him?”

“I’ve been thinking about it,” she said with a tilt of her head as she turned to continue walking. “I think he feels just as trapped as I do—not in the work; he loves what he does. But the merging of our companies has been the plan for so long, and ourparents’ dream has turned into his dream. But he’s mentioned that he’s given up his life for me, so I think he’s been ignoring whatever has or hasn’t been happening between him and this other girl to ensure the merge happens.”

“And you no longer wanna work here, which means no merger.”

“Right,” she said on a sigh.

“Why can’t they merge without you and Jackson?”

At that, an exasperated laugh left her. “They can,” Lainey said as if she didn’t know why anyone else didn’t understand that fact. “They could’ve merged so long ago; that’s what’s so frustrating about this. But our parents have always acted like it all hinges on Jackson and me getting married and taking over the companies. And that...”—she made an uncomfortable sound, her words getting softer when she continued—“that would be my sister.”

I’d already spotted her hurrying through the crowd before Lainey had ever said anything. I’d just been hoping she was heading anywhere other than to us.

“Don’t be surprised if she asks again what time you’re picking her up tonight,” Lainey murmured.

“Not interested.”

This time, Lainey hesitated for a few beats before whispering, “I know.” The two words soft and thoughtful and not at all like they’d sounded when we’d had this conversation before.

“Hi, right, so,” Wren began, already talking before she reached us, “Mom and Dad know.”

“Know what?” Lainey asked when Wren didn’t elaborate.

Wren gestured to all of me, a teasing little smirk tugging at her lips as she eyed me before subtly shaking herself out and saying, “Apparently, it got back to Mom a few times that you were wandering around with a man—even in parts of the fields that weren’t open just yet. Which, I would saynaughtybut...”—she gave another flip of her hair—“this is Lainey we’re talking about, so I know nothing was happening.”

I stole a look at the girl beside me, noting Lainey’s wide eyes and the red creeping into her cheeks as if we’d been caught.

But Wren was right...nothinghadhappened other than Lainey and me arguing over our issues and her trusting me with what was happening in her life. But the blush on Lainey’s face then? I knew that had everything to do with me confessing to looking for her for nine months, and it had me fighting a smile.

“Anyway,” Wren went on, eyes widening as if to convey this is where things got bad, “I only know all this because Mom was trying to rope me into working the checkout with her, and she was going on and on about how this meant you and Jackson were making up. Then Jackson came storming up like an angry bull, ranting about our favorite jerk over here.” She reached out to grab my arm, but I shifted away.

“Long story short,” she went on, unfazed, “Mom called Dad. Dad’s looking for you.”

“Oh.” The word seemed to be forced out of Lainey’s lungs and had her face paling.

“Great,” I said with a shrug. “I’ve wanted to meet your dad.”

“No,” Wren said, drawing out the word as Lainey’s head snapped in my direction, already shaking as she echoed her sister. “No. No, I don’t think...no.”

“I’m not afraid of your dad, Lainey.”

A frantic laugh burst from her. “I’m more than aware. It’s just—please don’t,” she practically begged. “Not here. Not now.” When I started holding my ground, she took a few steps away from her sister and lowered her voice when I followed. “Asher,please. The few times I’ve seen him this week, we’ve fought—that’s all we do lately. About their expected place for me. About working for you.

“And if you thought Jackson was mad?” she asked, her body seeming to sag a little even as she tightened her grip on Kaia. “His thoughts and words are straight from my dad. And my dad won’t let this be a pleasant meeting. It’ll turn into a scene that he’ll use as more fire against me later.”

I ground my jaw as I took in her worry. “I hear you. But what do you want me to do? Run away? Hide? That isn’t me.”

“Lainey Ray,” a rough voice scratched out, making Lainey’s eyelids flutter shut.

I glanced to the side to see a tall, weathered man glaring directly at me as Wren slowly slipped away. “Mr. Pearson.”

He looked at my free hand when I extended it but never went to shake it. “Assuming you’re the main reason behind my daughter’s continued disobedience, I’d like to know exactly why you’re on my property.”

A hushed laugh bled from me as I brought my hand back to rub at my jaw. “There somewhere we can talk?”

“Nothing to talk about. I want you off my property.”

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