Page 141 of Homecoming

She turned to find Matt’s sister-in-law, Hallie, who’d been her friend once upon a time. She was married to Matt’s brother. “Oh, hey, Hallie. How are you?”

“I’m good. You?”

“Doing well.”

“You look great.”

“Thanks, so do you. Um, this is my husband, Dan. Dan, this is Hallie Gallagher.”

As this was awkward enough already, she hoped he’d deduce who she was without her having to fill in the blanks for him.

“I’ve missed you these last few years,” Hallie said.

“Me, too. How’re the kids?” Kara kept her gaze fixed on Hallie as she prayed she wouldn’t be ambushed by Kelly and Matt.

“Getting big. Josh just started eighth grade, and Noah is in sixth. Our youngest, Luke, is in fourth grade. He’s the soccer player.”

“Hey, Kara,” Hallie’s husband, Joe, said.

“Hi, Joe. It’s nice to see you.”

“You, too.”

Kara introduced him to Dan, who shook his hand.

“Are you guys coming?” Pete asked.

Kara wanted to kiss him for giving her a reason to say goodbye to people who would’ve been her in-laws in another life. “It was great to see you guys. Give your parents my best,” she said to Joe.

“Will do.”

They were on their way to a clean getaway when Kelly and Matt, carrying their son, Connor, approached.

Kara cast her sister a warning look that had her backing off as they left with their friends.

“You’re not even going to say hello?” Kelly called after her. “Don’t you want to see your nephew?”

“Keep walking,” Renata said as she turned to deal with Kelly. “Go away, Kelly, and leave her alone. That’s what you wanted, right? Well, be careful what you wish for.”

“I never wanted this! For her to act like she doesn’t know me when we see each other!”

“What did you think was going to happen?” Renata asked. “You made your choices, and now you get to live with them. I hope he was worth it.”

“Let’s go, Renata,” Myles said gently. “The others are waiting for us.”

Kara hated that her hands were shaking. Why did that happen when she hadn’t done anything wrong?

Dan kept his arm wrapped tightly around her as they walked with their group toward the parking lot.

“She has some fucking nerve,” Renata muttered.

“In case I forget to tell you later,” Dan said, “that was well done, cousin.”

“Very well done,” Ellery said. “I can’t believe her.”

“I can,” Jessie said. “Same old Kelly she’s always been, doing what she wants without giving a shit how it affects anyone else and then acting all surprised when people are pissed at her.”

Kara listened to what they were saying as outrage bubbled up inside her. She stopped walking, which meant the others stopped, too.

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