Page 105 of Caught Up

Yeah, but wouldhe?

We rounded the circular drive in front of his parents’ house—more like mansion—and parked next to Aly’s car. She and Josh got out as Nic cut the engine. Clearly, they’d been waiting for us. I was grateful for that, that we’d walk in together. Nic seemed unflappable, but I knew there were deeper emotions brewing beneath the surface. His father had manipulated, controlled, and emotionally abused him his entire life, and breaking away from that was a big deal.

Josh and Nic greeted each other as I rounded the trunk of the car. Aly was coming around hers, too, and she smiled when she caught sight of me, pulling me in for a hug.

“How you doing?” she asked as we released each other.

“Full panic,” I said.

She nodded. “We’ll sit you in between Josh and Nic. They’ll keep you safe.”

Joshstep-slidnext to her, both of his arms raised as he flexed. “I’m very intimidating.”

Nic backhanded him in the stomach, and Josh wheezed and dropped his arms. I shook my head, wondering why no one else looked as worried as I was.

“Is the party out here tonight?” a lilting voice asked.

I jumped, so on edge I’d turned skittish, and turned to see Moira standing right behind us. I hadn’t even heard her walk up. From the way she smiled at our surprise, I had a feeling that was intentional.

“Just saying hi to my favorite cousin,” Nic said.

Aly rolled her eyes. “Onlycousin.”

Josh put his arm around her. “Which means you win by default, baby. Soak it up.”

“Lauren,” Moira said, and I braced myself and turned back to her. Her smile was warm, welcoming. “It’s nice to see you.”

“You, too,” I said, grateful that Nic chose that moment to slide his arm around my waist and pull me close.

Moira’s gaze shifted between us, smile widening, like she was actuallyhappyabout this development. “It took you two fecking long enough.”

I blinked, caught off guard, but Nic only shrugged.

“Yeah, well,” he said. “Better late than never.”

Moira’s smile slipped as she took in our little group. “Are we ready to go face him down?”

Nods all around, and I realized then that I wasn’t the only one who was nervous, just the only one doing a shitty job of hiding it.

“Then I think we’re going to need something stronger than the wine I uncorked,” she said, turning.

Nic snagged her wrist.

She paused and turned back to him.

“I love you,” Nic said. “And no matter what happens tonight, I don’t want to lose you.”

Her expression softened, eyes creasing at the corners as she lifted a hand to cup his cheek. “You’ll never lose me.”

Nic let her go, and she headed back toward the house.

I glanced up at him. “Did you tell her your plan?”

He shook his head. “No, but she’s the real brains of this family. I’m sure she took one look at you and realized a confrontation was coming. And I told her about Dad threatening you, back then.”

“He threatened Lauren?” Josh asked, his voice eerily calm.

Aly put a steadying hand on his arm. “Babe.”

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