Page 9 of Dangerous Love

“Because that’s not the Sienna I remember—she didn’t just fold and let other people make decisions for her.”

“It’s just a dress. Who cares?”

I swiped a hand over my face. “What happened, Sienna? Why are you fighting so hard to avoid everyone?”

She swallowed hard, her chest rising faster. “Does it matter?”

“It does to me.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked them away. “Because it’s all too hard. I thought everything would end when we escaped your fa—” She cleared her throat. “I mean, when we left Hal behind,” she said. “But it’s all still there. The pain. The shame. The helplessness. I know what everyone’s thinking behind my back.”

I leaned forward until my hand gripped hers. “Sienna, no one blames you. We all want you back with us.”

She exhaled, a soft sob choking her words. “Riley, I’m not sixteen anymore. You don’t have to soften the blow for me. I almost got Avery killed, and that’s not even including how April and Jarryd must hate me for what I did to their family—yourfamily.”

Her hand seemed small in mine. I squeezed it lightly. “Cooper was in their lives way before you. How do you think I feel? That’s my father who came for them. That’s my blood who got you roped into their drug ring, and that’s me who hurt you before you left. I feel like shit, Sienna, for what I’ve done to you.”

Tears ran down her cheeks, and she brought her hand to her mouth, hiding her pain behind her palm. “I can’t talk about it, Riley. Please don’t make me.”

Our eyes locked, and I nodded as she squeezed my fingers. Then she pulled back. Silence stretched between us for a second time in the last few minutes as she sipped on her drink.

Don’t push her. She’s had enough for today.Head tilted, I pressed on and changed the subject. “I’ve seen it.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “What?

“Your wedding outfit.”

She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, a small smile lightening her face. “You’ve seen my dress?”

“Uh-huh.”

She tugged on her earlobe, her teeth nibbling at her bottom lip. “Is it pretty?”

“It’s beautiful. You’ll love it.”

“You’ve really seen it?”

“I promise you. Consider me your personal spy.”

“How did that come about, Mr Spy?” She straightened in her chair, a twinkle in her eye.

I laughed and said, “Because you’re in the wedding party and both April and Lizzie are wearing the same dresses.”

She chuckled. “Youaretelling the truth.”

“Of course, I am.”

She opened her mouth as if to speak, but paused, and instead took the last gulp of her hot chocolate. Then she murmured, “Should I assume that you’re also in the wedding party?”

I pushed the small plate with our leftover muffins in front of her. She studied me as I nodded. “You and I are partners in the bridal procession.”

She paled. “You’re joking?”

I picked up the last piece of her cake and lifted it to her mouth. “Dead serious. Soon we’ll be sharing more than your muffin, Grumpy Bear.”

I expected Sienna to bite my head off—or at least a finger. But she didn’t even comment. Instead, she parted her lips and let the last piece of butterscotch fill her mouth. She was considering her position. She wasn’t fighting me, and Avery would be pumped over getting his sister back in the family. And yet, the sadness in her eyes drilled through to my heart.

There was a distance in her gaze. A cyclone-resistant wall around how much of herself she was willing to give. Even to me. She might agree to show her face at our family gatherings. But, as she attempted a small smile,my Siennawas still MIA.

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