Page 88 of An Unfinished Memory

“We just want time and space,” Wilder said. “And if everything goes to shit, don’t blame Sutton.”

Tova’s lips turned down. “Is that what you were afraid of?”

I nodded, my cheeks warming. The admission wasn’t better than the hiding. “You all are really important to me, and I’m afraid I trashed things with Aggie.”

“Then you’d better go talk to her,” Cody said, steering Tova away from the door while gingerly maneuvering Charlie’s carrier. “I’ve got a wife to convince to get some rest.”

I parked in front of Aggie’s garage. Wilder had left for home after the kids had each gotten their turn holding Charlie. He and I had been next and then we’d left the tired and excited family to rest and bond.

I blew out a hard breath. A hunk of lead sat in my gut. Everyone had taken the news of Wilder and me in stride, but I didn’t have quite the history with them that I had with Aggie.

I found her in the barn, cuddling with her six-pack of cats and sitting on an overturned five-gallon pail. Ansen and Ro were probably in the house.

“I’m sorry,” I said in lieu of a greeting.

“You looked so upset to see me.” She scratched a cat behind the ears and frowned at me. “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? To tell me something happened between you and Wilder?”

“I had to tell you I’m a horrible friend.” I dropped to my knees and picked up a tortie cat with prominent orange. Fanta. Her purr ramped up in my arms. My sweater would be covered with fur, but the little creature was my emotional anchor.

“How so?” She flattened her hand on Root Beer like she was preparing herself for bad news.

“I’ve been sort of lying to you.”

She arched a brow, the hurt increasing in her hazel eyes.

My stomach started to hurt. Shame. She’d been with me through everything, and I’d left her out. “I’ve been sleeping with Wilder since the street dance.”

She recoiled, and the cat darted from her lap. She scanned the barn, rapidly blinking like she was trying to see the world clearly. “That was months ago.”

I nodded and sat back on my heels. I clutched Fanta. He was my lifeline. “I didn’t know how to tell my best friend I was sneaking around with her brother, who I divorced, since she was incredibly supportive through the whole process. At first we were just messing around, and I was afraid to upset you…”

“At first?”

I told her about the movies, a PG-rated version of what really happened. “Vienne figured it out. I’m really sorry. Then Wilder and I quit, but we couldn’t stop.”

Her brows lifted at the reveal that Vienne had known. “And now?”

“We’re trying a long-distance relationship, and wewere going to wait to tell anyone until we thought it would actually work, but then Eliot figured it out when we were camping in Medora.”

“Eliot knows, too?” Her mouth dropped open with a gasp. “Wilder was with you?”

“He invited himself. Showed up just as I was leaving and got into the pickup.” I braced myself. I wanted her to know the whole truth. “Wilder was actually at the house when you picked me up to go thrifting.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“You were hiding my brother? In your house while I was in it?” Her scandalized tone made it all seem so much worse.

“I was terrified. I knew I made a mistake, but I wasn’t regretting it, and that was wrong, and we planned to keep doing it. But we know what little chance we have.” My throat suddenly grew thick. Our odds sucked. I set Fanta down and brushed my sweater off as if it’d do any good. “We were going to tell everyone, but we didn’t want to overshadow your announcement or Charlie’s birth, but…it’s just excuses. You’re really important to me, Aggie. I’d say you’re like a sister to me, but my sister’s practically a stranger.”

She snagged another cat to cuddle, her forehead furrowed. “I know that ultimately, you and Wilder aren’t my business.”

“But he’s your?—”

“You know what my first thought was when I walked in on you?” When I shook my head, she dropped a kiss on the cat’s head. “I thought, great, you and Wilder are back together, and you’re going to move.” She let out a scornful laugh. “How selfish is that? You two looked so good together, and I was worried about darts night. Andhow I’d have to have Dr. Jake as my vet again.” We exchanged anoh nolook and both started laughing. “I’m so selfish.”

“No,I’vebeen selfish. I’ve been thinking about how bad I want my ex-husband, and anyone who I thought wouldn’t like it wasn’t allowed to know.”

Her curls flew as she shook her head. “I want to be happy for you, but I admit I’m relieved to hear you might not move.”

“You were really upset I might leave Crocus Valley?”

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