Page 63 of Shattered By the Currents

“Maybe they’ll date and be as in love and into PDA as us one day,” Joel said, before grabbing Polly around the middle and pulling her down onto his lap.

She gasped. “One of us is into PDA because he thrives on public validation, but it ain’t me, buddy.”

Joel grabbed his chest, feigning hurt. “My poor ego.”

“I think it’s fine.”

It was only when they kissed that Connor looked away. Luckily, that was exactly when Raven stepped in.

And he suddenly couldn’t sit still. That was the kind of hold she had on him. He met her halfway across the room. “Hey.”

“Hi.” She smiled, but it looked forced.

“You okay?” Like he was unable to stop himself, he smoothed a lock of hair away from her face.

Her eyes flared before she responded. “Yeah. Mom was just having a bad afternoon, then I had this strange encounter with a man as I was leaving.”

“Strange how?”

“It was an elderly resident. He thought I was his daughter, called me Lila.”

He frowned. “Lila. Lila Wren?”

“Maybe. You know her?”

“I knowofher. She went missing about fifteen years ago. Her dad is Herbert, the guy I told you about who we often have to go find in the forest. He has Alzheimer’s. She’s the reason he’s always out there—he’s looking for her.”

“That’s so sad.”

It was fucking devastating. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“He grabbed my arm, but?—”

Connor lifted her arm. The fuck? He ran his fingers over the red marks on her wrist.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “I just feel bad for him.”

Damn, he wished he’d been there. “Come on. I’ll get you that caramel latte.”

“I can?—”

“I’m getting you a latte, Raven. And food. Bagel?” He’d learned that she loved bagels after making her one for breakfast two days ago. She’d lit up like it was Christmas.

“No, Connor?—”

“I’m getting you something to eat and drink. It would be a lot easier if you just told me what you wanted.”

She sighed. “I’d love a caramel latte and a cheddar cheese bagel.”

“Your wish is my command.”

This time her smile was real. Genuine. Easy.

Good.

While he stepped up to the counter to order, Raven moved to the end to talk to Maggie and Polly.

“You get anything on that camera?” Connor asked Ethan, when he returned to the table.