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Either unaware of, or ignoring, how her comment gutted me, Paige’s mom keeps exploring. She picks up the broken picture frame, another memento that somehow escaped the fire.
I harden my heart, trying to brace for another casual attack, but nothing comes. Mrs. Herbert stares down at the picture for a moment, then places it back on the chair where she found it.
“Is there any more?” It takes me a second to realize she’s asking about the house.
I nod, directing her into the kitchen. Completely forgetting about my other guest.
“Hello.” The older woman’s words sound friendly, but her smile has gone tight as she runs her eyes over the pretty woman in my kitchen.
“Uh, hi.” Luna glances at me, clearly confused, and I hurry to clear things up before Paige’s mom addsplayboyto my list of sins.
“Luna, this is Mrs. Herbert. Mrs. Herbert, this is Luna. My sister.” I step fully into the kitchen, making sure both women can see me as I make introductions.
The hint of tension in Mrs. Herbert’s shoulders relaxes at my explanation, but my sister still looks lost. I consider explaining exactly how I know the new arrival.
Instead, I keep my mouth shut.
Partly because thinking and talking about Paige hurts. But also, after I gave a brief summary of what happened between me and my ex, I got the sense Luna decided she disliked the girl I love.
Ever the protector, ready to destroy anyone who hurts her younger brother. Even if I’m the one who brought the pain on myself, I don’t think Luna sees it that way. And I don’t want my sister to have any reason to be rude to Mrs. Herbert.
So, I let Luna stew in her confusion.
“It’s nice to meet you, Luna.” The older woman turns back to me. “I was hoping to speak with you for a moment, Dash. Do you mind taking a walk with me?”
“I…uh…sure. Of course.”
She gives me another genuine smile, and in the happy expression I catch some of the resemblance between her and her daughter. Paige is taller, and her face has a few more straight lines than her mother’s round one, but their cheeks plump up in just the same way. And their button noses are almost identical.
Apparently, more than just Mrs. Herbert’s words can carve painfully into me.
The two of us head out the back door, circling to the front of the house. We pass my beat-up Saturn on the way, and the mechanic clicks her tongue in obvious disappointment.
My cheeks flush hot, ashamed of Jack in all his obvious disrepair. The vehicle pairs nicely with my life. Shitty car for a shitty person. And it’s all on display for the mother of the woman I love.
“You deserve better than that, Dash. You belong in a…” She trails off, looking me over with searching eyes. “A Sting Ray. Yeah. I could see you in a ’65 Corvette Sting Ray.” Mrs. Herbert gives a satisfied nod and heads off down the sidewalk. Her words shock me into a frozen statue, and I have to shake myself before jogging to catch up.
“Mrs. Herbert, I’m sorry—”
“Stop, please. Don’t apologize to me for anything. My husband treated you horribly, and I just stood by and let it happen.I’msorry.” She shoves her hands into a set of large pockets. Only then do I realize she’s dressed in some loose overalls with a simple black T-shirt underneath. I bet Mrs. Herbert makes more money in a month than I do in a year, but no one would guess it by looking at her.
That’s probably why I tricked myself into believing Paige’s mom might approve of me.
“It’s okay. I understand.” Even though it hurts.
Mrs. Herbert steps in front of me, bringing us both to a halt on the cracked sidewalk. She gazes up into my face, concern etching deep line into hers. Carefully, as if she’s worried I might run, the woman lifts her hands to cup my cheeks in a gentle embrace.
“It’s not okay.”
Suddenly, my eyes feel dry and scratchy. I have to blink rapidly, and I thank the universe when Mrs. Herbert lets her hands drop. She starts walking again, and I follow along beside her.
“Paige is in New York right now. She and Charlie left a few days ago. She has that interview, then they’re making it into a vacation.”
I grunt in answer, unable to form words. Half of me is starved for information, while the other part wishes I’d never have to hear Paige’s name again.
“Every day she’s demanding I send pictures of Pumpkin. I’m chasing the dog around the house trying get a shot of her.” Mrs. Herbert chuckles, and something like amusement tugs at the corner of my mouth. “You know, when she brought that dog home, I nearly had a heart attack.”
I frown but keep my mouth shut.
