Page 126 of Vain

“How about you and I finish up here, and then I’ll take you over to Uncle Wade and Aunt Olivia’s house. I’ll even swing by the ice cream place on the way.”

“Yes, can I, Mom?” Zoe looks at me eagerly.

I huff out a laugh and roll my eyes. “Who’s the bigger kid here?” I look at Felix, who grins.

“You already know the answer to that.” Banner laughs before stopping abruptly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I thought I saw someone. I’ll be right back.” He’s gone before I can say anything else, leaving me staring at Felix with a frown.

“He’s Banner. He’s weird,” he tells me as he dances with Zoe, twirling and dipping her, making her laugh.

“Oh sure, he’s the weird one,” I mutter, walking closer.

“Alright, honey. Give me a hug, and I’ll leave you with Felix, if that’s what you want.”

She wraps her arms around me, squeezing me tight. “You’ll be back tomorrow?” she asks nervously. One day, she won’t worry that I might not make it home to her. I’d love nothing more than to erase that sound of fear from her voice, but everything takes time.

“I’ll be here. Just don’t let your uncles kidnap you again.” I glare at Felix, who picked her up from school last week and forgot to tell me. I nearly had a damn heart attack in the pick-up line when they told me she was gone.

“It’s not kidnapping when it’s family.”

“I’m seriously questioning leaving my kid with you right now.”

“Shoo, woman…begone. We have snacks to buy and ice cream to eat.”

I say my goodbyes and leave them to it. I don’t worry about them getting in, all the guys have a key to our place, though Kellen is the only one brave enough to use it whenever he damn well pleases.

I walk up the street, enjoying the cool breeze coming off the water. Humming softly, I let my mind drift to Marley. I still miss him every damn day, but I find comfort in the fact I’m living the life he always wanted for me.

I think of Greyson. His trial begins in a few months, which will drag me back into the spotlight. I’m no closer to figuring outmy feelings for the man than I was before. Mostly I feel betrayed and angry. I’m never going to be the bigger person here. I won’t find peace in forgiving him because I don’t—forgive him, that is—and I never will.

I collide with a body and nearly fall on my ass. “Ooof.” Thankfully, I stay on my feet but the poor woman I just walked into isn’t so lucky. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I was in a world of my own. Here, let me help you up. Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” I babble as I offer her my hand. She reaches for it and lets me pull her up.

She barely reaches my chin in height, making me feel even worse. “Please tell me you’re okay.”

She looks up at me, her eyes wide, her red hair falling haphazardly out of its ponytail. “You’re Matilda Carson. Of course, you already know that. Aurora. Me, I mean. Not you. I’m Aurora. Oh god.” Her shoulders slump in defeat.

I bite my lip to keep myself from laughing. “It’s really nice to meet you, Aurora. I’m so sorry I knocked you on your ass. I got caught up in my thoughts for a minute.”

“It happens to me all the time,” she admits with a shy smile.

“I’ve gotta go, but I’ll see you around, okay?”

“Um…okay sure. Bye.” She looks a little dazed as I leave her. For the most part, people are used to me being here, so much so I forget I’m famous sometimes, until someone reminds me.

I glance at my watch and curse. “He’s gonna kill me.” By the time I make it all the way back up the hill, I’m cursing myself for not driving.

Aiden is waiting at the front door with a smirk on his face. “And what time do you call this, young lady?”

“I know, I know. But we got a little overwhelmed in the candy aisle, and then Felix swooped in and saved the day.”

“Is Zoe okay?” he questions, his face a mask of worry.

“She’s fine, I promise. Just a little nervous about her first sleepover. She’ll be okay.”

“I’ll call her from the plane, just to check in.”