Page 68 of The Lilac River

"Which means you’re definitely thinking something scandalous," she teased. Then lowered her voice. "Alright, out with it. You’ve got that moon-eyed look that only comes from unresolved emotional tension and, what was it, oh yeah, a heated kiss with your former soulmate in the back hallway of the local bar?"

I sighed and leaned back. "I had dinner with Nash."

Her mouth dropped open, and for once, she didn’t even bother to disguise her reaction.

"We are absolutely going to Missy May’s for lunch," she declared. "No excuses. And don’t tell me you brought your cute little lunchbox. I checked the fridge. It’s not there."

I blinked. "You checked the fridge?"

"You think I wouldn’t? Girl, I aminvested."

I laughed despite myself. "Grandma thinks the lunchbox is hilarious."

Before Cassidy could launch into a hundred follow-up questions, a small hand tugged at my sleeve.

"Miss. Gray?"

Elodie looked up at me, eyes bright with the kind of news only eight-year-olds could deliver.

"Hey, Elodie. What’s up, sweet girl?"

"Bertie called me this morning. She said to tell you thank you for taking care of her. Also—" Elodie leaned in dramatically "—she thinks you’re really pretty."

I bit back a sudden wave of emotion. "Thank you for passing that on. That was very thoughtful."

Cassidy waited until Elodie skipped away. Then she leaned in with a knowing grin. "I think you just melted."

I didn’t deny it. I’d melted the second I saw Bertie curled up in bed last night. The second she reached for me like I already belonged there.

Missy May’s was bustling by noon. The scent of grilled cheese and burger grease wrapped around me like a blanket the second we walked in. Cassidy snagged a booth near the window, ordering two sweet teas.

"Alright," she said, gripping the menu like she was preparing for battle. "Spill."

I traced the curve of the sugar dispenser. "We argued. Last night. After dinner."

Cassidy didn’t even blink. "Dinner with a dessert of anger. You two could heat half of Silver Peaks with your emotional repression."

"It’s not funny."

“Sorry.” She sobered. "Why argue? Did he say something that crossed a line?"

I shook my head. "No. Nothing like that. I mean, he was mad. Really mad. He asked why I left. And I almost told him. Iwantedto tell him. But..."

"You froze."

I nodded. "What if he finds out and it only makes things worse? What if he blames me more for lying, for staying away, for not trusting him?"

Cassidy didn’t answer right away. She let the silence stretch, giving it weight.

"You’re scared," she said eventually. "That’s allowed. But he’s already hurt, Lily. Not telling him won’t protect him. It just leaves him in the dark."

Out the window, I spotted a young mom dragging a tantruming toddler past the diner. The kid wailed, face red and tear-streaked.

"Poor thing," I murmured.

Cassidy followed my gaze. "What?"

"Being that small must be terrifying," I said quietly. "No wonder they cry. The world’s so big and loud. You don’t know what’s safe yet."

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