“Did Dad send you over?” I asked.
“No. Though he did apologize recently for several things, including how rude he’s been to Xander. He really seems to be more…open-minded lately.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, wondering what the hell had gotten into him.
“So…what’s going on? Talk to me.”
I shook my head and stood, pushing past the dizziness, the pain. “I’m not talking about this with you.”
“Why not?” She followed me into the kitchen, and I wished she’d just leave.
“Because you’re my baby sister.”
“I’m not a baby anymore.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Please, Hunter. Talk to me. You’re headed down a dangerous road.”
“It was one night. What’s the big deal?” I rolled my eyes, grabbing a mug and filling it with fresh coffee.
“Would you rather talk to a guy? To Xander or Preston? Is that it?”
“No. I don’t want to talk to anyone. There’s nothing to discuss. Lauren has made it clear that she will never forgive me. And it doesn’t really matter anyway. She’s moved on.”
“Are you sure about that?” Kate asked. “Because I saw the way you two looked at each other, and I don’t know how anyone could move on from that.”
I tugged on my hair, wishing it were true. “I fucking saw her with someone.”
“Have you asked Preston?”
I shook my head. “He’s busy with the new baby. Besides, Lauren basically told me to my face.”
“What did she tell you? What were her exact words?” Kate seemed intent to keep pushing this. To keep digging.
I scrubbed a hand over my face, my thoughts drifting back to yesterday at the hospital. It felt like forever ago. “She didn’t refute it. She didn’t say anything.”
“Xander talked to her recently, arranged a new commission.”
“And…” I hung on her words, desperate for any clue.
“And she seemed just as miserable as you. I don’t think she’s moved on, Hunter.”
Hope blossomed in my heart before I remembered the fury in her eyes the night she’d left. “It doesn’t matter.” I turned away, regret sitting heavy in my stomach. “She’ll never forgive me. I broke her trust.”
Kate placed a hand on my arm. “If Xander can forgive me, Lauren can forgive you.”
I shook my head. “You don’t understand. I didn’t just lie to Lauren. I…” I shook my head, swallowing down the hatred that burned through me. “It doesn’t matter. It’s over.”
“Why are you willing to give up so easily? It’s clear that she loves you. And you love her. I’ve never seen you so happy.”
“What would you suggest I do?” I asked. “And don’t say something like a skywriter or some over-the-top gesture. She’s not that type of girl.”
“Which is why she’s perfect for you.” She nodded, her blond ponytail swaying from the movement. “How did you two meet?”
I chuckled, thinking back to that night. “At Target. She dropped something, and I helped her pick it up.”
“I think you should recreate that night. I think you should remind her of all the reasons you were so good together. And then you should apologize, beg for her forgiveness, and promise you’ll never lie again.”
“Is that what you did with Xander?” I asked, knowing that Kate had also concealed the truth from Xander. Somehow, they’d survived the ordeal, and their relationship was better than ever.
“No. But I did apologize. He also realized he’d overreacted, and he apologized for letting me down when he should’ve supported me.”
