Page 46 of Queen Rose

My stomach rumbles on cue. “Is anyone else up yet?”

“Lyla’s helping Beau chop veggies and meat and stuff right now, and Micah went for a quick run.”

“When do you have to go, Nate?” I shift back, looking into his eyes. It’s hit me hard that he’s going to go back home, and I’ll be here another night, odd woman out. It’s stupid and selfish of me, though, so I push it aside. I’m glad he hasn’t gotten any emergency calls while he’s been here. When he checked in for a second time yesterday afternoon, everything had still been A-okay, and Melinda had been preparing dinner for them.

Nate grazes his fingertips over my back, studying me. I’m still wearing my pajama T-shirt and an old ratty pair of jeans, no makeup, and I’m betting my hair is a snarled mess, but he’s looking at me like I’m nothing short of perfection. “Probably an hour or so. I told them I’d be home in time to watch Brandon’s favorite Batman cartoon.”

I nod, raking my teeth over my lip. “Okay. Let’s get you something to eat, then. You haven’t lived until you’ve had one of Beau’s omelets.” I glance up at Daph, who is standing there with her hands folded together and tucked under her chin, looking for all the world like she’s watching some sappy romantic movie play out right in front of her. “We’ll be right in.”

Inside, we find that in the time Daphne came down to ask us about breakfast, everyone else has decided to show their faces, too.

While Beau mans the omelet pan, Lyla buzzes around filling orange juice glasses. I laugh. “I guess you two have made yourself right at home, huh?”

Lyla stops. “Oh. Did you not want us to do breakfast? We just thought maybe you’d had a rou—”

“A rough night? Yeah. It’s okay. I’m fine. And I was just teasing. You all should feel at home here to do whatever you want. Especially if it means breakfast.” I shrug. “Thank you for thinking of me, though. That’s really sweet of you.”

Beau side-eyes me from the cook-top range. “Are we all good now?”

“Actually”—Lyla holds up a finger—“I want to say something, especially if Nate has to go soon.” She glances around the island, waiting for someone to argue. A few concerned looks are exchanged, but nothing more than that. “One, I hope everyone is feeling better now that we’ve had some sleep.” Her gaze bounces around the group until it lands on Nate. “And two, Nate, I’m sad you have to go home today. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be responsible for other people. I’ve done some shady stuff to get by on my own and know all about being backed into a corner and feeling like there’s no way out.”

Nate clears his throat. “I appreciate that. Thank you. I wish I could stay longer, but—”

I slip my arm around his waist. “It’s okay. Your family needs you at home.”

Apparently, Lyla’s not done yet because she holds up a finger again to get our attention. “And three, I happen to think you’re good for Aria.” She gives Nate a smile and a shrug. “That’s all. I felt like I needed to get it off my chest after last night.”

I press my lips together, fighting back the pinpricks of tears—again—then do something I hardly ever do. I cross the room to Lyla and hug her so damn hard she squeaks with surprise.

Not long after that, Nate heads out. I notice he and Xander exchange a few words before he goes. Their tense body language makes it hard to tell how the conversation is going, but when it ends in a back-thumping hug, I breathe a sigh of relief. The last thing I want is for them to not like each other.

For the remainder of the trip, I find myself vacillating between the bitchy, head-cheerleading queen they all know (and somehow still love) and the girl I so desperately wish I could be all the time. Because that girl is open and honest with her feelings. It’d be nice to not have to live a lie.

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