Page 87 of Broken Destiny

I pulled back slightly, keeping one hand on his shoulder while reaching for the gift bags beside me.

“Are these all for me?” Lucas asked, his eyes widening.

I smiled and handed him one of the bags. “And for Emma.”

That was when I looked up and saw Jiya walking toward me.

The pale yellow dress moved softly around her legs as she crossed the yard, the late afternoon sunlight catching against her skin and hair. Brown ankle boots completed the look, effortless in a way that made my pulse stumble anyway.

“You came?”

“Yes,” I replied, standing up and forcing myself to look away before my thoughts betrayed me.

Because the truth was, there was nowhere else I wanted to be.

Greg’s voice immediately echoed in the back of my mind.

This is a mistake. You’re just making excuses to be around her because you’re still in love with her.

Maybe he was right.

I still did not know what this was between Jiya and me. I only knew that every time I tried to stay away from her, I found myself coming right back.

And that terrified me.

“I bought some gifts for Emma too,” I said.

“You didn’t need to.”

“I wanted to.”

Elle and Karl stepped forward and stood beside her, positioning themselves like protective guards without saying a word.

“Umm... you remember Elle and Karl?” Jiya asked.

“I do,” I replied, shaking their hands and offering a polite smile.

“Nice to see you again,” Karl said.

“You too,” I replied.

“Mingle around. I’ll be right back,” Jiya added, glancing toward the group of mothers chatting near the patio.

I watched her as she slipped into the conversation before turning my attention back to the group in front of me.

Karl clapped a hand on my shoulder with an easy grin. “I’m glad you made it. Lucas has been talking about this party all week.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I said, glancing toward the backyard where the children were sprinting around with balloons tied to their wrists.

Jack stepped forward with a soda in his hand. “Good to see you again, Caleb. It’s been a while.”

“It has,” I replied, shaking his hand. “Thank you for having me.”

“You’re always welcome here,” Jack said warmly. “Anyone who makes those kids smile like that is family in my books.”

Jack took a sip of his soda and looked at me.

“When are you coming back to the restaurant? It’s been a while.”