Page 29 of Her Greatest Mistake

It’s a perfect fit.

And half an hour later, I’m done up properly. Foundation, mascara, a peachy lipstick, and a quick touch-up to my hair is all it takes for me to feel like a new woman. After a couple of spritzes of perfume, I’m grabbing my purse and starting to put my phone inside when it chimes with a text.

Unknown: I think I’m here.

Just like that, I’m ready to throw up. The grilled cheese I made for dinner churns in my stomach as my nerves come racing back.

Me: On my way out!

I’ve already switched all the lights off and locked the back door, but after spending eight years in Toronto for school, I double-check the lock before slipping on a pair of white sneakers and stepping out onto the front porch.

My new home is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom new-construction townhouse with high peaks and a big front window that makes the living space appear bigger than it is. Being the third unit in the long row of homes, I share two walls with neighbours. It isn’t always ideal to be sandwiched between two households, but I’ve been lucky enough to have respectful ones on both sides. It helps that I’m usually gone early in the morning and home in the later part of the evening, so I doubt I would see or hear much of anything regardless.

When I spin around on the porch, I spot a deep red Jeep waiting on the curb a few feet ahead of where I live. The windows are heavily tinted, and there looks to be a social media handle on the back one. I straighten my shoulders and stride toward the beefy vehicle, my curls bouncing with each overenthusiastic step.

My courage starts to falter the closer I get, and the moment I come up on the passenger side and catch a glance at the driver, I stumble. I slam a hand to the front door to catch myself as my cheeks flare with embarrassment.

The window rolls down as a drop-dead gorgeous blonde leans out and stares at me with wide eyes and lips parted.

“Braxton?”

“Adalyn?”

12

BRAXTON

It takesme a full minute to gather my wits and slide into the Jeep to take a proper look at the youngest Hutton sibling.

Her baby face and innocent blue eyes are no more. Instead, her features are sharp, and her eyes are wild and spark with crazy stories that I ache to hear all about. The loose waves that hang over her shoulders are a platinum-blonde colour with hot pink and teal highlights throughout in true Adalyn fashion. A healthy flush softens the sharp lines of her jaw and cheekbones, and her glossy lips break out in a grin, revealing straight white teeth.

“You’re gorgeous,” she says before surprising me by throwing herself over the centre console and pulling me into her arms. “I missed you.”

“Me? You’re stunning.” I ease my arms around her petite frame and squeeze her tight. “And I missed you too. So much.”

We hug for longer than probably necessary, but it still isn’t long enough. When we pull back, I can’t seem to stop smiling. Addie falls back in her seat but keeps her body turned toward me. Her eyes hold mine, and I reach out to grab her hand.

“I still can’t believe that you’re back. When Dox told me you were, I kicked him in the shin and told him not to lie to me about you,” she says.

I laugh at the image before smashing my lips together. Guilt swirls. “I should have called. I guess I was too scared of what you would say when you picked up.”

She nods thoughtfully. “I’m mad at you, but I’m more hurt than angry. Now I understand why you left, but back then? God, I thought you were such a bitch.”

“I don’t blame you for that.”

She squeezes my fingers. “We can’t change anything now, and you’re helping my brother when he needs all of us rallied around him. That’s all that matters right now.”

“I need you to know how sorry I am, though. You didn’t deserve to be left with questions. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt anyone. I just . . .”

“You couldn’t stay. I know. I get it.”

I blow out a breath. “Yeah.”

“We forgave you a long time ago, Brax.”

“Everyone but him.” I force myself to keep from rubbing at the growing ache in my chest.

“You know why he hasn’t,” she says softly. “Give it time. After everything is said and done with this mess he’s found himself in, I’m sure the past will be left in the past, and you can both move on.”

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