Page 77 of Beyond the Hate

Paisley flinches, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders. “As a matter of fact, we are a couple.”

“For now,” the first woman mutters under her breath.

An older woman stands and approaches us. Her eyes are the exact same shade of hazel as Paisley’s. This must be her mother.

“I’m Eleanor, Paisley’s mom.” She offers me her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you.” It’s not nice but Paisley’s family being here saves me a trip to visit them.

She waves to the two women. “This is Regan and Darcy.”

When Regan reaches toward me, I step back. I have no interest in touching the woman who tortured Paisley during her childhood.

“Are you nearly finished?” I ask Paisley. “We need to get going.”

“Where are you going?” Darcy asks.

“Maybe we can come with,” Regan adds.

“Sorry,” I say. “It’s a family event.”

“Family event?” Darcy snarls. “We’re her family.”

“Are you the one who stole Paisley’s boyfriend and married him?”

She rolls her eyes. “I didn’t steal Ryan. You can’t steal a person.”

“It’s true,” two young girls say in unison from behind me.

“Dad says…”

“…he effed up.”

“He should have…”

“Girls,” Darcy growls. “Do not finish that sentence if you know what’s good for you.”

They shrug in unison.

Paisley smiles at them. “Eli, these are my nieces, Luna and Emma.”

“We’re twins!”

“Really?” I feign surprise. “You don’t resemble each other in the least.”

They giggle. “Your boyfriend is funny.”

“Luna, Emma, go wait in the car,” Darcy says.

“But Mom.”

I chuckle at how adorable they are.

“Do you want children?” I ask Paisley.

Her eyes widen and she rears back. “You’re asking me this now? In front of these people?”

Yep. It’s the perfect way to telegraph to her stepsisters how serious we are. And, hopefully, prevent Regan from executing whatever scheme she’s concocted.

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