Page 17 of Pretend it’s Forever

No, that was just those conflicted feelings that told me I needed a nap. Or a large drink.

Or to dance again.

As if on cue, my knee buckled, and my femur felt as if it was on fire. A squeak escaped me, and then Carson was there, holding my elbow to keep me on my feet.

“Sophia?”

“I’m fine. Please just go.”

He studied my face, the warring of emotions carved into his eyes worried me, and yet I couldn’t let go. I didn’t want him to let go.

“Not until you’re settled. You don’t have to be whole. You don’t have to be okay, Sophia. I’m not going to let you fall out here on the terrace.”

Tears pricked the back of my eyes, and I had to wonder exactly who this man was.

“Carson—”

“Mommy?”

I whirled, ignoring all pain because of that little voice, to see Violet and Hazel standing in the doorway, hands clasped, looking at me oddly. It was Hazel who had spoken, and then I was moving towards her, away from Carson and his hold.

“Girls, you’re not supposed to be on the terrace alone.” Images of countless accidents filled my brain, and my mouth went dry.

“Their toes haven’t touched the tile,” Carson corrected, and while he was right, I still turned to scowl at him.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Woods.”

He raised a brow at that but didn’t move away.

I reached down to pick up my daughters, but my legs were too shaky, and tears threatened again. I should be able to hold my daughters without pain, without falling, and I would. I just needed a deep breath.

“We missed you,” Violet whispered, and this time a single tear did fall.

Before I could say anything, Carson was kneeling beside me, arm outstretched.

“How about I help your mom here and take one of you? I’m Carson, your mom’s friend.”

I nearly snorted at that, but I didn’t want my girls to just walk away with a stranger, and frankly, I wasn’t sure I could even stand up with the girls in my arms at the moment. I had never hated my injury more than in this moment.

“Uncle Flynn’s friend,” Hazel added and beamed.

That made Carson grin, and I just shook my head, a smile threatening. He picked up Hazel without a second thought and stood, his hand on my elbow at the same time. That let me lean on him as I lifted Violet and set her on my good hip, then kissed her forehead.

“Thank you, Mr. Woods.”

“Carson. I’m Carson.”

“Thank you, Mr. Carson,” I rasped.

Violet buried herself into my neck, as Hazel spoke a mile a minute to Carson as if they were old friends, and he listened intently. I stood there, confused as to how I had gotten in this place, in this moment, but I couldn’t move, not without Carson doing it first.

And once again, I was out of my element, and a new kind of pain settled in.

Chapter Four

CARSON

The fist to the jaw shouldn’t have been a surprise. However, I hadn’t expected Flynn to be the one to make the connection.