Page 31 of Even if It Hurts

But when I pressed the button, his voice sounded from behind me. “Lainey...”

Chills swept across my body as I hesitantly glanced over my shoulder, only for a strained breath to escape my lungs when I saw my bag hanging from his fingertips.

“Oh.” An embarrassed laugh punched from my lungs as I reached for the strap. “Yeah, I guess I need—” My stare lifted to his when he held tight to my purse, that unruly pounding of my heart so fierce, I was sure he could hear it.

But he simply muttered, “Nice bag,” before releasing it and me, confusing me as I self-consciously clutched it to my chest.

“Um . . .”

“It zips,” he explained as another subtle smirk tugged at his mouth.

“Oh...oh.” Heat crept into my cheeks because Ihadbought this purse after my encounter with him.

Granted, by the time I’d left the shop that morning, I’d been positive Asher had blown the entire thing way out of proportion, but he’d still scared me enough into making sure no one could easily slip a tracker onto me again.

I’d bought the purse as soon as I’d reached Tennessee.

A hesitant laugh tumbled past my lips as I glanced down at the bag in question before meeting his dark eyes again. “Well, you know...some angry man told me it might be smart to have a purse that closes.”

Amusement poured from him just as a distinctivedingalerted us the car had arrived. After a quick glance behind me, he studied my face and gave a subtle nod. “Thank you.”

“For buying a new purse?” I asked as I stepped onto the elevator, the question a gentle tease. “Didn’t think I had an option.”

“For coming tonight.”

I turned at the unexpected response, shock rendering me speechless for a few seconds too long before I uttered a breathless, “Of course.”

Before the doors could close, I pressed the button to keep them open and stepped forward, meeting all that imposing intensity head on to search his expectant expression.

And for the smallest second, I wondered if our brief kiss haunted him the way it did me. But that wasn’t what this was about because, despite everything, the man in front of me wasn’t why I was here.

“You can do this,” I told him. “I know it’s hard when she cries and refuses to sleep, and I know you’re struggling with your own grief that I can’t begin to imagine. But just try to remember that Kaia’s hurting in her own way too—a way we literally can’t understand, and she can’t communicate.”

I gestured to the open space behind him. “And, who knows, she might be upset because she’s growing or getting a new tooth, but I really think it’s the confusion and changes. She’ll get into a routine soon...you both will.”

Stepping back, I kept my stare on my sandaled feet when all I wanted was to look at the man watching me leave. Once the doors shut and the elevator started descending, I released a shaky breath and staggered back to lean against the wall; my hand pressing against the chaotic pounding in my chest as I worried over my attraction to the man upstairs.

For every flash of Asher that danced through my thoughts, I replaced it with a memory of Jackson, which only made my guilt burn hotter.

I’m in so much trouble.

When the doors opened on the lobby level, I began lifting my tired head and pushing from the wall only for a startled scream to rip from me at the unexpected voice.

“Miss Pearson?”

I swallowed around the lump in my throat, my heart now racing for an entirely different reason as I looked at the uniformed doorman standing just outside the elevator. “Um, I’m?—”

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said with a kind smile when words failed me. Placing his hand on the opening so the doors wouldn’t close, he informed me, “Mr. Briggs called down and asked me to walk you to your car.”

“Oh.” I exhaled quickly, the end trailing off into something resembling an apologetic laugh as I followed the man into the expansive lobby. “Sorry, I just...wasn’t expecting anyone to be there. I’m also fine,” I assured him, gesturing in the direction of the parking garage. “You don’t need to walk me.”

He made a face as if to let me know that wasn’t an option. “I was told to make sure you left safely.”

My eyes narrowed as I contemplated his expression and how absolutely terrifying Asher Briggs could make the simplest words sound. “And you have to?” I assumed.

The doorman gave a subtle, meaningful nod that encompassed everything I’d learned about the man upstairs in the few times I’d been around him.

I was understanding more and more why my aunt Ada enjoyed pushing Asher. She was right: Someone needed to.

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