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I had no idea about any of that. It made my heart ache for her.

“Do you need a hug?” I asked, setting my tea down on the coffee table.

“Okay?” she said as if she wasn’t sure. I leaned over and gathered her in my arms. She was so strong, but even strong people needed someone to lean on sometimes.

“I'm sorry your parents suck. I’m sorry they can’t see how amazing you are.” I rubbed her back and stroked her braid and held her. This was the first time she’d ever felt fragile in my arms.

“Thank you,” she said, through tears. “I don’t like to cry during dates, but here we are.”

That made both of us giggle a little and I pulled back to look at her face.

“Will me taking my clothes off make it better?”

“I’m not sure, but you should try. I’ll let you know.” I stood up and unbuttoned my shirt, flinging it over the back of the couch.

Echo stared at me and then turned her head to the side, considering.

“I’m not sure, can you show me a little more?” I flipped the button on my leather shorts and then shimmied them, along with my underwear, down my legs, kicking them under the coffee table. I did a slow turn.

“How about now? Feel better?”

Echo stood from the couch and walked toward me. Her hands dragged down my body, coming to cup my ass.

“Muchbetter.”

Sixteen

You were seen, justso you knowDom texted me the next day when I was on my lunch break.

What do you mean?

Denise saw you with Echo at dinner. You are not as sneaky as you think you are.

Freaking Denise. She was one of the cheer moms who’d had two kids on the squad and was regularly a pain in my ass. Her oldest daughter had graduated last year, and her youngest was a junior now. Somehow, she seemed to know everything about everyone, which was probably because she worked as a nurse at the local hospital. I didn’t remember seeing her at the restaurant, but I’d also had my attention fully on Echo and in my margarita glass.

What did she say?I asked.