Page 78 of Shattered By the Currents

“Because you loved her.”

“I thought I did.” But the truth was, he hadn’t even known her.

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too.” He forced the frustration down. “I’m not the way I am because of her though. You know I was raised by a single mother, and I have three younger sisters. It’s just in my DNA.”

A soft smile curved Raven’s lips. “Will you tell me about them?”

“They’re spread out across the US. And they’ve all done incredibly well. Sarah’s a doctor and engaged to a surgeon. Vanessa’s a lawyer and is dating another woman. And Meaghan’s at home raising two very rowdy boys.”

“What about your mom?”

“She’s still in California. I visit her whenever I get a chance.” He reached for his phone on the bedside table and pulled up a photo of the last time they’d all been together. He smiled when he found it. “This was a year ago.”

Raven leaned over his shoulder, her smile soft. “They’re all beautiful.”

“Yeah.” But he wasn’t looking at his family. He was looking at her. At the beautiful crinkle of her eyes. At the way her face lit up when her lips curved.

She looked up at him. “I love that you have such a great family. I’m also glad I’m not a project.”

He could have laughed. “Definitely not. But I do wish you could tell me more about Xander.”

She retreated—physically by pulling her hand away, and emotionally with the veil over her eyes.

It hit him harder than it should have. There was a small part of him that had hoped by sharing a little bit of his own painful past, she’d share a bit of hers. And that last night had changed something.

“Come on.” He took her hand. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“You don’t want to shower?”

“I saw numerous things growing in there last night. We can shower at my place.”

Her nose wrinkled and she didn’t argue. She knew he was right.

Once they were dressed, she checked out and he followed her back to his home. He still wanted to cancel on Joel, but she all but pushed him out of the house.

When he reached Bloom, the café was busy. A handful of customers stood by the flowers. David Collins, the town recluse, sat by the bookshelves. And Anika and Mark, the couple who fought more than they got along, sat in a corner having a quiet conversation.

“You are not staying all day,” Polly said to Joel, as he leaned over the counter.

“Why not?” Joel asked, looking far too cocky.

She held up a finger. “One, because you’ll stink after your run, and scare off my customers. And two, because I don’t need babysitting.”

“You think I stink?”

“You don’t exactly do leisurely strolls, so yes.”

“It’s a jog.” He looked at Connor. “Tell her it’s a jog.”

Connor looked at Polly. “It’s a jog.”

She rolled her eyes. “You guys don’t even know what a jog is. In fact, I—” She stopped, eyes narrowing on something behind him.

Joel saw it before Connor did and cursed beneath his breath.

Connor turned, and tensed.