Page 36 of The Lilac River

I wasn’t even sure I did either.

"So, Miss. Gray is Lily?" Gunner asked, eyebrows climbing.

"Yep," I said, stirring the casserole like it personally offended me.

"Shit."

"Dinner’s in thirty minutes," I grunted. "Wilder in his room?"

"Yeah. Bertie's watching TV." Gunner folded his arms, leaning against the counter. "You wanna talk about it?"

"Is your husband out of town too?" I deadpanned.

"What?"

"Monica offered me a friendly ear. And dinner."

"Gross." Gunner laughed, then sobered. "You had no idea Miss. Gray was Lily?"

"Nope. Bertie just called her Miss. Gray. I didn’t connect the dots."

Gunner’s mouth twisted. "And the name change?"

I stiffened.

Hadn’t let myself think about it until right now.

Only one reason why she wouldn’t be Jones anymore.

The realization hit like a baseball bat to the gut.

"She’s married," I said hoarsely.

Gunner just sat there, letting it land.

"I don’t even know why I care," I muttered.

"Maybe you let her go," he said. "But did you ever letyourselfgo?"

"What does that even mean?"

"Fuck if I know," he chuckled. "Saw it on a fridge magnet."

"Asshole," I said, but I smiled.

"You care, Nash. That’s all I’m saying."

I scrubbed a hand over my face.

Yeah. I cared. I hated that I cared. And some godawful part of me was still glad she was back.

"If you want my advice," Gunner said, leaning forward, "and it's sound advice.”

"God help me," I muttered.

"We go out Friday night, get drunk, and you hook up with the first woman who looks at you like you’re a steak dinner."

"That’s your grand plan?"

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