Page 82 of Lost in You (The Monroes 3)

“Liam cut his hand with one of his knives. He didn’t know it was in the sink and went to wash up the dishes we were done with.” Sophie’s nose scrunched up. “It’s a pretty bad cut, actually. Braxton just took him to the ER.”

Macy looked over to the crowd surrounding her father—all the laughter, the smiles, the pats on his back. She wanted to leave, but how could she? She not only had her father and so many people from the town at her house, she had sweet Lucy to think of.

“How bad was it?” Macy asked, turning her attention back to Sophie.

Sophie gripped the diaper bag straps on her shoulder, her diamond engagement ring sparkling in the afternoon sun. “Bad enough that he immediately asked Braxton to take him. Zach and I finished getting things set up and Cora started greeting guests in that sophisticated way, as if she were welcoming royalty into your house.”

Even with the fear of what was going on with Liam, Macy couldn’t help but laugh. That sounded exactly like Cora, who’d grown up in a high society world, but blended perfectly into their small town.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you two,” Sophie went on. “But I know it’s more than friends.”

Lucy fussed and Macy patted her back, bouncing a little. The poor thing was most likely ready for a much deserved nap. Between the hell of yesterday, the big day at the park, and adjusting to brand new surroundings, Macy needed to get her settled.

“It’s complicated.” Macy wasn’t sure how to approach this. She and Liam had never talked about what was going on between them outside their little bubble. But his family wasn’t naive or stupid. “And after last night, I’m pretty sure friends is where we’ll stay.”

Those words hurt

to say, but the sooner she faced reality, the sooner she could heal . . . she hoped.

“Really?” Sophie shifted, holding her hand up to block the afternoon sun. “Because I thought for sure once I told him about the opportunity at Bella Vous, that he’d jump on opening his own place and—”

“What?” His own place? Here?

Sophie pursed her lips. “I take it he didn’t tell you.”

“No.” More hurt seeped in. Why was she letting him hurt her when this clearly was a one-sided relationship? A relationship he’d told her up front couldn’t happen and she’d readily agreed. “What opportunity?”

“I should let him tell you.”

Macy kept rocking back and forth gently, and the slow breathing from Lucy indicated the baby was finally resting. “Too late, you’ve already told me. Now just give me the details.”

More laughter echoed behind Macy as she waited. She was thrilled her father was having a wonderful party, and she’d get to it eventually, but now she had a resting child and a man to figure out.

“After Rand was removed from the mayor’s office, Dax McGlone took over. He called the other day stating he’s been getting calls from all over. The town is really thriving with more tourists since we opened the resort. Between the women flooding in from Savannah, and the talk of Liam’s cooking, Dax wanted to know if we’d be interested in opening a small bakery to sell to the public.”

“We . . . meaning Liam?”

Sophie nodded. “He hasn’t told me what he wants to do yet, but I think this is exactly what he needs. He’s been so . . . I don’t know, almost lost since he came back. I know his heart isn’t here, but I’d hate to see him go again.”

Little did Sophie know the man already had one foot out the door. He hadn’t told Macy about this opportunity and clearly this was the call he’d taken the other night when he’d pushed her questions aside. He hadn’t wanted to let her in, hadn’t wanted to discuss the options he’d been given.

In short, he wanted to do this all alone.

Tears pricked her eyes and she was thankful for the sunglasses she still had on. “Well, I’m sure he’ll let you know soon. I need to take Lucy to Dad’s and let her rest more. Can you let him know I’ll be back?”

Sophie patted her arm. “I’m sorry. I know you’re upset. I just assumed he told you.”

“It’s fine. We don’t share everything.” Well, she did, but obviously he hadn’t wanted to open up to her. “Will you come tell me the second you hear how he is?”

Sophie handed over the diaper bag. “Of course.”

Adjusting the bag onto her own shoulder, without waking Lucy, Macy watched Sophie head back toward the party. Macy opted to walk on the other side of the house and then around back. Nearly everyone was inside now, so she could sneak away and into her dad’s apartment without being seen. While her dad was having a great time, Macy needed to pull herself together.

Once Lucy rested for a while, she’d take her back to the house. She knew she’d be bombarded with questions about the baby, but those would be easy to answer.

It was everything else in her life at the moment that was causing major anxiety. As Macy let herself in to the back of her father’s apartment, she leaned against the door and sighed. Between the store and Lucy, she had enough on her plate. She just wished she’d listened to herself months ago when she told herself not to get emotionally attached to her new tenant.

Unfortunately, she’d fallen in love with a man who couldn’t get out of town fast enough.

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