Page 122 of Worth the Risk

“Hell, the first time we had sex, I was high on the molly she brought me.”

I furrow my brows in question.

“Molly, like ecstasy,” he explains.

An awful feeling arises in my stomach. She could have drugged Leo as well. She knew how a drug like that worked.Could she have put that in his drink?

Knowing what I now know, hell yes, she could.

I sit stunned, then I notice someone has stopped at our table. I recognize her and say, “Hello, Grace. I see you’re still in town.”

“Hello, Kylie. I’ve stayed longer than usual. Haven’t seen you at the lake since you left for New York. Hope you had fun.”

More like an awakening.

“Yes, I did. Riley had such a wonderful time. We visited the carousel you suggested almost every day. Riley’s father even took her on a horse and carriage ride through the park. She loved it.”

“She met her father?” Grace asks, surprised.

“Yes. He’s here in town. Maybe you will get to meet him at the lake sometime.”

“Um… I won’t be around. I’m leaving tomorrow.” She seems distressed all of a sudden. “I need to go.” She can’t get out of here fast enough.

“That’s what I feel the worst about,” James says, breaking me out of my thoughts on Grace’s odd behavior just now.

“You lost me.”

“I had no idea you were pregnant, and I’ve seen you around town, alone, with your daughter. I’m sorry I had a hand in that, in breaking up a family,” he says with a frown, his voice sincere.

The good part of me wants to tell him it’s okay, but it’s not. I appreciate his honesty, though. Without it, I would have never put together all the events that took place.

After saying goodbye to James, I head out to my car and call Mom and Riley. I ask Mom if she can keep her overnight because I need to see Leo alone, and she agrees.

Next, I text Leo. I need to find out where his house is as I’ve not been there yet.

Me:I’m on my way over. I need your address.

When he texts his address, I almost drop my phone. If the address is correct, it means he purchased the home where we spent our summer together.

Even after he thought I betrayed him, he bought it.

A little surge of hope rises in my chest. That place was where we fell in love.Even after believing the lies, did he somehow still believe in us, in our love?

My heart tells me he did.

A notification from Instagram lights up my phone. Leo has confirmed my follow request. On his page is only one picture, and it’s a selfie of him, Rylie, and me by the park’s carousel, smiling like a happy family. The caption says,The two most important girls in my life. My heart beats again.

I like the post and respond with a heart emoji.

I’m hit with a new sense of purpose.

I’m going to take one last risk on Leo.

Our family is worth it.

ChapterThirty-Eight

Leo

---