Page 29 of Exposed Ink

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs. “I know it was unprofessional, but …” Her cheeks turn a light shade of pink, and she sniffles. “I don’t know what it is about you and your daughter, but you guys have this weird way of making me lower the wall I’ve worked so hard to build. I hadn’t told anyone about my daughter, other than my family, who already knew, yet you confided in me about your daughter, and in turn, I was word-vomiting all over you.”

I can’t help but smile at her words, which makes her glare.

“I love how you’re reveling in my misery,” she mutters.

“I’m not reveling in anything,” I say with a chuckle. “But you just admitted that even though you didn’t want to let me in, you did, which means there just might be hope for you yet.”

I’m only joking—sort of—but I know it’s the wrong thing to say when Kinsley frowns.

“Shane.” She sighs. “I canceled the appointment because, even though it’s obvious that you’re a good guy and you said you’re okay with just being friends, you also made it clear you’d still like more from me, and the truth is, I don’t have anything more to give you or anyone for that matter. I gave it all to my husband and unborn baby … and then they died.”

A single tear slides down her cheek, and I reach out and swipe it away with my thumb, hating to see her cry.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, palming the side of her face. “I hate that you went through something so devastating, and I won’t even pretend to know how you must feel because I’ve never experienced any type of loss that comes close to what you went through.”

“I did it,” she whispers. “I was driving. I’m the reason they’re dead.”

Oh shit.Now, her comment about killing her daughter makes sense. And not only did her daughter die, but so did her husband.

“If I hadn’t …” she chokes out, unable to finish her sentence.

Without thought, I drop to my knees and wrap my arms around her.

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “You don’t have to say anything.” I rub my hands up and down her back as she softly cries into my chest. “You went through something that no parent or spouse should ever have to go through, and the fact that you’re still getting up every day and functioning proves how damn strong you are.”

“I’m not?—”

“What’s going on?” Taylor says, cutting Kinsley off.

Reluctantly, I release Kinsley and stand. “Kinsley was just having a moment,” I tell her. “Why don’t we give her a second and you can help me get drinks? Dinner’s ready.”

Taylor glances at Kinsley with concern but says, “Okay, the bathroom is down the hall if you need to wash up.”

“Thank you,” Kinsley says, giving my daughter a watery smile. “I’ll meet you guys out there.”

“Is she okay?” Taylor whispers once we’re in the kitchen.

“I don’t want to tell her story, but she went through something horrific and is having a tough time getting through it.”

Taylor nods in understanding, then tells me she’ll be right back.

When she returns, she has a stack of books in her arms.

“These are for you,” she says when Kinsley walks out to join us. “They’re my go-to reads when I need to forget about everything and escape.”

Kinsley glances at me, then back at my daughter.

“Dad didn’t tell me your business. He wouldn’t do that, but he said you went through something horrible. I read these books last year when I caught my ex cheating on me because I wouldn’t put out, and I swear they helped me forget all about his lying, cheating behind.”

I already know what happened since my daughter and I talk about most things, but the amount of pride I feel from hearing her speak like that never gets old.

Kinsley cracks a smile and then hugs Taylor. “Thank you,” she murmurs. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“Of course! We’re officially book friends, and that’s what book friends do for each other.” Taylor grins. “I’m going to grab a water. Do you want one?”

“That would be great,” Kinsley tells her.

Once Taylor is gone, Kinsley says, “You have an amazing daughter.”

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