Page 74 of The Maverick's Homecoming

Her friends scooted closer. They each wrapped an arm around her. It helped. But only a little.

Lauren said, “Please don’t call me a traitor, but—”

Kenzie leaned her head on Lauren’s shoulder. “Never. You’re the best.”

“—Finn is one of the good ones,” she continued. “And in my experience, the good ones are pretty darn hard to find.”

“Call him,” said Sandy. “Tell him you made a mistake and you need to talk and— Wait. I have to ask. Was there a ring?”

Lauren scoffed. “Please. It’s not about the ring.”

“I know,” said Sandy staunchly. “Butwasthere?” At Kenzie’s slow nod, she demanded, “Okay, I’m going to need a description. A detailed description.”

Kenzie sighed. “Fine. It was perfect. A gorgeous round diamond, antique gold band, low-profile, bezel-set.”

“Oh, my…” Sandy shook her head. “That sounds like the exact right ring for you—and gorgeous, to boot.”

“Yes, on both counts.”

Sandy whimpered in distress. “I can’t believe you turned him down.”

“Oh, please,” grumbled Lauren.

“Don’t give me that look, Lauren,” Sandy muttered in return. “I don’t mean because of the ring—though let’s be real, the perfect ring matters.” She turned to Kenzie again. “I’m just shocked that you said no because you two were made for each other. I loved seeing you together. Finn’s a great guy and you deserve the best.”

“Stop now,” said Lauren softly.

“Sorry.” Sandy gave Kenzie’s shoulders a gentle squeeze. “Sometimes I do get a little carried away.”

“Nothing to be sorry about,” Kenzie reassured her. “And you’re right. Finn’s a terrific guy. It’s just that, after the disaster of my marriage to Tate, I don’t want to get married again. I honestly don’t. My baby needs a family she can count on absolutely. And that would be me, period.”

“We are here for you,” whispered Lauren.

“You bet we are,” added Sandy.

Kenzie slipped an arm around each of them. “Thank you.” They shared a group hug. Her friends were the best. And their support should have made her feel better.

But it didn’t.

Later that afternoon, Kenzie took her place at the base of the bleachers for football practice. It was the first time she’d seen Finn since their breakup Saturday night.

He looked so good, so tall and strong and handsome. Her heart ached just to see him out there on the field putting the team through the usual drills. He didn’t come near her.

Which was good, she reminded herself. They needed to avoid each other now. Distance would help them to move on.

But the pain of losing him just felt so…fresh.

It would get better, she promised herself. Eventually, the hurt would fade to a dull ache and then, over time, to nothing. After all, that’s how it had been when it ended with Tate.

Finn is not Tate, said a stern voice in her head.Finn’s a good man and you know it. He’s a man you can trust. He’s the man that you love—and you’re a fool to have sent him away.

She blocked that voice out—or at least she tried to.

But she couldn’t stop thinking about him, missing him, wondering what was he doing now?

The pain of missing him was bad. Really bad. And if it was going to feel this bad forever, she didn’t know how she would bear it.

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