Page 30 of When You Were Mine

So what if the relationship had meant more to her?

That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

No harm, no foul.

But the moment she entered the dining room, she discovered her pep talk was as fragile as a bird’s nest, made of nothing but twigs and string.

Because one look at the scene in front of her had her self-esteem collapsing in a flurry of dust and debris.

The four of them—Chris, Jasper, Darby, and Trevor—laughed like they’d known each other forever. With their plates loaded with eggs, toast, bacon, and fresh fruit, they looked like the best of old friends.

Her stomach twisted hard, and she stumbled. She’d only ever been part of a unit once.

Trevor and Elzy.

Wild Billy and Calamity Jane.

From the moment he’d walked out of that motel, she’d been on her own.

Daughter, mother figure, friend, aunt, business owner, boss.

Me. I.

Single servings.

One ticket, please.

Nothing drove it home harder than this moment when she was a total outsider.

But it was Darby’s arm slung around her fiancé’s shoulders, her head resting on his biceps—the absolute familiarity of a long-term couple—that scraped out her heart and left her hollow as a drum.

Stop it. Stop it right now. With her head held high, she approached the table. “Good morning.” She had a job to do and a family to get home to. All eyes were on her, but she didn’t focus on anyone in particular. If she did, they’d see her pain.

Why are you holding on to this anger?He’d been a twenty-year-old boy when he’d left. He’d barely experienced life. He’d gotten a better offer, and he’d never looked back.

Let it go.

My God, just let it go.

“Ah, there she is. Grab some food.” Chris gestured to the counter. “I set up a buffet.”

“Sounds great.” She breezed right past him and headed for the counter. “Everything smells delicious.”

Chris’s chair scraped back, and he met her there. “What’s your poison? Cappuccino or latte?”

Before she could answer, Jasper popped up. “Ooh, let me do it. I make an adorable foam flower.”

“She doesn’t drink coffee.” The forcefulness of Trevor’s tone had everyone turning to him.

“You haven’t seen her since high school,” Darby said. “You don’t know the first thing about her anymore.”

The simple truth of her comment knocked Jess off balance, and she reached for the counter.

I’ve kissed every inch of his skin. I know about the birthmark on the back of his right thigh and the constellation of freckles at the back of his neck.

I’ve touched every part of his body and know the two places that make him break out in goosebumps—just beneath his ear and the soles of his feet.

I’ve seen him cry during the movieField of Dreamswhen Ray plays catch with John, and I know it’s because Trevor never had those father-son moments.

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