Sutton’s gaze connected with mine over Lolli’s shoulder, her eyes filling. But I knew it wasn’t sadness spurring the tears; it was the force of Lolli’s love. I knew Sutton had been closest with her grandmother and that she’d lost her right after college. I could kiss Lolli for stepping in to fill a little of that void.
As Lolli released her, I stood. “Come on. We can pick up Luca on the way home. Kenner’s keeping a close eye on him. Arnie, too.”
Sutton nodded, turning to Lolli and taking her hand to give it a squeeze. “I wish you could know how much that meant. Thank you.”
It was Lolli’s turn to get a little misty. “Don’t you dare make me cry, young lady. I won’t have Walter thinking he has a chance to swoop in andcomfortme.”
Sutton chuckled. “Throw that man a bone.”
Lolli simply huffed. “He hasn’t earned me yet.” And with that, she flounced out of the office.
Sutton turned to me, a smile playing on her lips. “I admire the hell out of her.”
I wrapped an arm around Sutton’s shoulders. “Just don’t tell Lolli that.”
The rideto the rink was mostly quiet, and I didn’t push Sutton for more. I knew there were countless things she needed to think through, and I could give her all the time in the world for that. But just as I pulled into a parking spot, she spoke.
“Have other outlets picked up the interview with Roman? Ones outside that gossip site?”
I winced. I’d hoped we wouldn’t have to go there, but there was no getting around it now. “They have. It’s not huge, but there are more than a few.”
The original interview had been posted last night. More mainstream media had picked it up early this morning. And even more by this afternoon. I would’ve been oblivious if I hadn’t gotten a text from Angie letting me know. I just hoped like hell the photographers and reporters didn’t make their way to Sparrow Falls.
Sutton let out a long breath, slumping against the seat. “We’ll deal. Right?”
Turning off the engine, I took her hand and pressed her knuckles to my lips. “It’s you and me, remember? We’re in this together.”
She worried the corner of her lip. “I’m sorry you have to deal with it because of me.”
I gripped her fingers tighter. “Don’t even think like that. I’d walk through fire for you any day of the week.”
“But you shouldn’t have to,” Sutton whispered.
“Life isn’t perfect. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. It’s about finding people who will weather the storm with you. Who will find ways to dance in the rain.”
One corner of her mouth kicked up. “You want to dance in the rain with me?”
I leaned across the console, taking her mouth in a long, slow kiss. “Always. Now, let’s go get our boy.”
“Okay,” she murmured.
I released Sutton only long enough for us to get out of the SUV, then I held her hand again. By the time we made it into the rink, there was a crush of parents and kids getting ready to leave. I didn’t miss the dirty look Evelyn sent our way as she took in our joined hands or the huffy one that figure skater gave me before turning her sights on a more age-appropriate kid. But I didn’t have time to worry about their bullshit today.
Kenner waved us over. “Luca has his stuff all packed up.”
“Thanks for helping out,” Sutton said.
Kenner’s gaze softened on her. “Anytime. Luca had his best sprint time yet this afternoon.”
“That’s awesome, Speedy,” I said.
Luca barely glanced up. “I’m ready to go.”
Sutton and I shared a look. Something was off. I bent to grab Luca’s gear bag and hoisted it over my shoulder. “See you tomorrow, Kenner.”
“See ya, Colson,” he shot back, turning as a parent called his name.
Luca was quiet as we loaded into my SUV and completely silent on the way home. The longer he went without speaking, the more worry I saw settling into Sutton’s features. The moment I pulled up to the house, Luca unbuckled himself from the booster seat and jumped out of the vehicle.
