He flagged down a cocktail waitress, and we all placed our orders.
Lena grinned like a shark as she strode toward our group. I had to admit she looked beautiful, but it was only skin-deep.
Caden tensed, his arm tightening around me.
“Caden,” she purred, patting his chest. “You look so handsome.”
He stepped back, taking me with him. “Lena.”
She pouted. “Always so uptight.”
“Maybe if you didn’t make him feel incredibly uncomfortable, he wouldn’t be so tense around you.” My voice stayed sickly sweet, but my eyes were hard.
Lena’s jaw went slack. “I would never.”
Nash snorted. “Please, you’ve been hitting on him for years. You think your poor ole fiancé doesn’t see, too? I feel bad for Gabe, and I hate that prick.”
Lena’s face reddened. “I don’t need to listen to these crass insults.” She turned and stormed off.
Maddie let out a low whistle. “She’s something.”
I glanced up at Caden. “You okay?”
He sighed. “Fine. Maybe she’ll be embarrassed enough to finally leave me alone.”
We could all hope.
A hand gently patted my arm, and I turned.
Jocelyn Shaw sent me a wavering smile. “Grae, you look stunning.”
I wrapped my arms around Caden’s mom in a hug. “So do you. That dress is perfection.”
She ran a hand down the garment as I released her. “Thank you. Can I steal you for a moment?”
I looked at Caden, who sent his mom a questioning look.
She laughed. “I promise not to tell her any embarrassing childhood stories.”
“Mom…” he warned.
I waved him off and then looped an arm through hers. “Don’t let him intimidate you. I want to hearallthe embarrassing stories.”
Jocelyn laughed as we walked out onto the balcony, where it was a bit quieter. “You’re good for him.”
“I hope so because he’s good for me.”
A sad smile spread across her face. “I haven’t done a very good job protecting that goodness.”
I stilled at the balcony’s edge, not saying anything.
“I wanted to thank you for protecting him…the way I should’ve. Caden told me you’ve helped him see how much the situation with his dad and brother is hurting him.”
“He didn’t want to cause you pain. Any of you. But I hate what it puts him through.”
Jocelyn patted my arm. “You were right. And so is Caden. I didn’t want to see how destructive it had all become, but it’s hurting all of us. We need to face it. I’mgoingto face it.”
I squeezed her hand. “That’s incredibly brave.”
