Page 120 of Hold Me Tight

The breath I’ve been holding slips out in a shaky exhale, and I press a hand to my chest, as if it will calm the pounding underneath.

It doesn’t.

I go through the motions of signing the receipt, offering a polite smile, and thanking him, but my thoughts are all over the place. They’re still caught on the phone call from the bank. On the weight of the loan hanging over my head for years. And the quiet, steady man who has shown up for me in ways I never asked for but desperately needed.

Deep down, in a place that realized the truth long before logic caught up, I already know who paid off the debt.

It wasn’t Zane.

It was River.

It’s always been River.

The man who let me and my daughter move into his home without hesitation. Who gave me his bed, his trust, and his protection without needing anything in return.

The man who didn’t need to say the right things because his actions have always spoken louder than his words.

He’s been there.

Every single time.

Without questions or conditions.

And suddenly, the weight of the lies Zane fed me feels suffocating.

“Sloane,” I say quietly, setting my coffee down on the table. “Would you mind holding down the bakery for a bit? I need to take care of something.”

Her eyes narrow, already sensing the direction this is going. “Where are you headed?”

“Zane’s place,” I say as I rise to my feet and untie my apron. “I think it’s time we had an honest conversation.”

Sloane nods. “Of course.”

“I’ll stay and help too,” Lilah says, rising and gathering empty mugs. “Go get your answers.”

“Same,” Rina chimes in, already pulling her long dark hair into a high ponytail. “I’m in full-on avoidance mode today anyway.”

“Oh?” Lilah smirks. “Let me guess… Oliver finally figured out what being auctioned off actually means?”

A slow grin tugs at the corner of Rina’s mouth. “Bingo. The look on his face was priceless. I haven’t laughed that hard in weeks.”

A reluctant smile lifts my lips as I shake my head. “You’re so bad.”

“Guilty as charged,” Rina says with zero remorse. “He should try to remember that more often.”

“Thank you,” I say, glancing at each of them in turn. Their support isn’t flashy, but it’s solid and steady.

Much like River.

As I make my way to the door, Rina calls out, “Let us know if you need backup. I’m only half joking.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I toss over my shoulder as relief threads through me.

For the first time all day, I feel a little more grounded and a little less like I’m unraveling at the seams.

44

Callie