Lacey flinched.
Angela threw another shirt into her suitcase and gave it a shove. “You’ve never been interested in dating anyone. I’ve tried to set you up with several men over the years. And suddenly, when I have an interest in a guy, you just… steal him away.”
“That’s not how it was,” Lacey insisted, taking a step toward her sister. “Just let me explain.”
“You don’t have to explain. I get it. He’s handsome and charming and heseemsperfect. But you know what? He isn’t.”
Lacey folded her arms, her head rearing back a moment. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” Angela snapped. “Absolutely nothing. You know what? The two of you deserve each other.”
Head reeling, Lacey gaped at her sister as she continued packing up her belongings. “Where are you going?”
“I’m gonna stay at the motel down the street from my shop.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
Angela stopped and glowered at her sister. If looks could kill, Lacey would be a pile of ash on the floor. She shook her head with fury. “I can’t stay here. Not… now.” Her face was red, and a tear slipped from her cheek. She took a deep breath, and the anger was replaced by an agony that Lacey hadn’t seen coming. Angela opened her mouth for a moment, then she snapped it shut with another shake of her head. “Goodbye, Lacey.”
She snatched up her luggage and draped her jacket over her arm before she marched toward the door. Then she stopped suddenly before she opened it. Keeping her back to Lacey, she whispered, “After everything I’ve done for you… I can’t believe this… is how you’d repay me.”
Her words stung deeper than Lacey had thought possible. Angela was mad. She had every right to be. And eventually, she’d realize that Lacey hadn’t done anything wrong. When she’d cooled off, she would give Lacey a chance to explain, and they would make up.
Lacey had to believe that. If she didn’t allow herself to have hope, then she’d crumble right here, right now on the floor.
She settled on the edge of the couch, a tingling numbness flooding her entire body. The door opened, but Angela didn’t slam it shut. She muttered something to Mack—hopefully nothing that would be bad for Bridger to hear. Then she stormed down the balcony toward the stairs.
Bent in half, Lacey put her head in her hands. Her fingers dug into her hair at her scalp as she went over the conversation she’d had with Angela. There was one thing that stood out—one thing that made her second guess her decision to let Mack in her life.
He’s not what he seems.
You two deserve each other.
What could she mean by that? Was Mack hiding something? Of course he was hiding something. No one was as perfect as he appeared to be. On paper, maybe. But in real life, everyone had baggage they didn’t want to see the light of day.
A soft touch on her arm dragged her from her reverie, and she jumped with a yelp. Mack peered down at her with Bridger at his side. The two of them were holding hands, staring at her like they were worried she would shatter into a million pieces.
They weren’t far off.
Angela was the only one in her life—besides Sammie—who cared about her unconditionally. She’d been one of the only people Lacey could trust. The bond between sisters was strong.
But apparently not strong enough to survive the betrayal of falling for the other’s crush.
“Mom? Are you okay?”
She nodded, forcing a smile.
Still, Bridger frowned. “But you’re crying.”
Lacey swiped at her face and jumped to her feet, heaving a sigh. “I’m fine, kiddo. How about you go get into your pajamas, ‘kay?”
Her son had to be one of the most intuitive children there was. The way he continued staring at her, ignoring her request, made it clear that he wasn’t convinced of her answer. He could tell she wanted him to leave the room, and he wasn’t ready to do that yet.
Mack squeezed his hand, and Bridger looked up at him. “It’s okay, kid. Let me talk to your mom for a minute.”
Bridger nodded after sending one more concerned glance in Lacey’s direction. Then he released Mack and hurried to the bedroom. Only when the door was shut did Mack reach for Lacey.
She was too out of it to push him away when he pulled her into his arms. He held her tight, not saying a single word. Her mind buzzed in all sorts of directions until she realized what was happening.
