I glance outside one more time before getting out.
This better be worth it.
“I really hope this lives up to my standards, because I’m not taking swimming lessons in some dump.” Irritation slips into my voice before I can bother hiding it.
“Just be pat…”
“Excuse me, ladies?”
We both turn at the same time. There’s a little girl standing next to us, like she just popped up out of nowhere, no more than eleven or twelve, her dark hair pulled into a neat braided ponytail.
“Oh… look at her, Tess,” I say, a small smile forming as I take her in. “She looks exactly like I did when I was her age.”
Tess huffs something under her breath, but I ignore it, already focusing on the girl.
“What can we help you with, sweetheart?” I ask as I lean down closer to her level. I’m not exactly tall, but next to her, I might as well be.
Her eyes light up instantly. “You’re Sierra Clark, right?”
My attention flicks toward Tess, a subtle, satisfied smile pulling at my lips before I turn back to the girl.
“In the flesh,” I answer.
“Can I have your autograph, please?” she asks quickly, almost breathless. “You’re the most popular girl in town, and I want to be just like you when I grow up.”
That does something to me. I feel it immediately—the way my chest lifts, the quiet satisfaction settling in.
“Finally… someone who recognizes quality,” I mutter more to myself, catching the way Tess rolls her eyes next to me.
“Of course,” I add, reaching for the pen she’s already holding out.
I take the folded piece of paper from her, smoothing it between my fingers before glancing back up at her.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
“I’m Aria,” she says, smiling wide, “but I just want your signature. I’m going to frame it and put it on my wall.”
I take an extra second to make sure my signature comes out exactly how I want it—clean, perfect—before handing the paper back to her.
“There you go.”
“Thank you so much!” she practically glows before spinning around and running off in the opposite direction.
“See? That’s a smart, well-raised kid,” I say, unable to stop the grin pulling at my mouth.
Tess scoffs beside me. “You’re so full of yourself.”
I turn toward her, already opening my mouth to answer, but she beats me to it, her tone shifting so fast it catches me off guard.
“There he is! Cain!”
I look where she’s pointing and instantly regret every pill I took that night.
How the hell did I miss him?
More importantly, how did I missthat?
Those hazel eyes are the first thing that catches me, sharp, almost unsettling, framed by dark lashes that shouldn’t look that good on a man. His black hair falls over his forehead, shorter on the sides in a way that somehow suits him unfairly well.
