refrigerator and the steady ticking of the wall clock. B

said was

ayn

avity that twisted in her stomach left her breathles

en? Se

h a sharp retort, but the words disso

His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, revealing just enough of his collarbone to make her throat dry. And th

se. Too tall.

, voice edged and brittle. "

that could unravel the most composed mind. "Oh, I s

in...her name, s

her to walk away, but

ire family, and now here he was standing in the kitchen like som

wrong w

e first thing that came to mind. "You k

have you kicked? You want to do that to me

! I wasn't...I didn't

st move," he teased, his gaze glittering

ed, turning her back on him

ed in any of this

it," he replied, eye

ain. "You're such

words now? From little Miss Alay

ng better to do? Like f

u're je

"Jealous? That's the funnie

If you keep looking at me like that,

ught. He woul

.too close...and the air

rom me," sh

in so close she could feel the warmt

out, leaving

r click

her chest. Her skin tingled, her cheeks were burn

told herself.

f his bed, a soft smile on his lips as Ge

tomorrow's the bi

want it to be simple

do realize your mother's pla

. "Don't r

oor c

ked in with exaggerated stealth. "Is

lease d

e phone. "Genevieve! My dear, you sound m

ughed. "Hi,

Just not old...I still jog

d his face i

, "he's marrying a man who once wrote poems to

AD

ter rang out, cle

vows in the mirror li

lunged, but Maverick danced

to know what sh

ndered the phone. Jo

ut him," h

ny... he's funny" Genevieve sa

aused, h

Maverick clapped a hand

"Kind eyes. She'll hold you togethe

kno

t's choosing each other through pain. Pro

ad" Jorda

ed "anytime kiddo... I'm so proud of

o but I promise to come vis

ow, about tomorrow your mother

"I asked for s

her doesn't know

g, Alayná knocked

leaned against the

es

," she said, av

t if you

"You're clear

ayn

in. Smooth. Sl

make me

ghed.

at her reflection in the kettl

he bl

w, he'd never l

h the coffee, kn

s asleep, slouched with

ever imagined him responsible. Just

ently against her better

and gentle wh

her hand back. 'Al

rned t

're

her. Then suddenly, he pulled her

an't bear it...see

inst her stomach. He

den

ight? I can't bear it..

fine. But you have to stop hurting yours

his hair. "Y

r guide h

left, hea

Aiden like that...broken. V

h someo

t her feeling hollo

h

s this

love h

bab

thought make her