Page 28 of Found in Wild Sage

My stupid heart flips.

“I’m glad to hear that you’re aware of her superpowers.”

I like that, her thinking of my mom that way, instead of seeing her as manipulative or conniving. She’s really not, though I worry this is more than Evie wanted.

“It’s more than you wanted, too,” I remind her.

She starts to smile again, but her face crumples. I am profoundly failing at understanding the emotional swings here, but I don’t know everything about Evie. I want to, but I don’t.

Yet.

“Please,” I start, but then I do what I’ve wanted. Without asking permission, I wrap her up, more for myself than her. My arms come around her, and I savor the fleeting seconds I allow myself to hold her.

This is the first time I’ve initiated contact like this, in more than a simple touch or press of a hand, and I pray it’s not unwelcome. In a heartbeat, her arms come around me, and she rests her head against me, her face curving into my neck.

If she weren’t crying, I’d have a harder time keeping my mind right while she’s pressed against me, her breath ghosting across my skin. But right now, I only want her reassured. I don’t mind her tears except they mean she’s hurting, and I hate that.

“I’m sorry. I’m just a wreck today. Apparently, your sweet mom wanting to throw us a wedding and being kind to me is more than I can take.”

I ease back and search her face. Her lashes are darkened from tears and her face is a bit blotchy, but damn if she isn’t as beautiful as always.

“Why?”

Her brow knits, and just when I think she’ll dodge the question, she steps back out of my arms and looks down at her feet, but she speaks.

“I’ve never had that. Family to butt in and insist on celebrating a milestone or… anything. Your whole family is wonderful, and your mom—” Her chin wobbles but she firms it. “When I met my ex’s mom, she immediately made sure I knew she was first in her son’s life and I wasn’t good enough. She never even pretended to like or approve of me. Trevor hurt me, but she did, too. I don’t think I even realized how much until today.”

A shadow passes over her face, but when she looks back at me, it’s gone and she continues. “Your mom was nothing like that. She clearly loves you so much.”

I’d bet good money she already loves Evie, too.

I’m often grateful for my family. I moved back home to be closer to them, keenly aware that my father may not have all that much time left. Nothing like a life-threatening event to wake you up to what you actually care about.

Right now, I am flooded with gratitude and love for the lot of them, and especially my mom for showing Evie she’s cared for. That, even if she thinks it’s by association with me, she’s loved. And that her marrying me matters—not only because of me, but because of her.

“She does. I’m more and more aware of how lucky I am to have been raised a Ryan.”

Her smile is soft and I’m relieved to see her tears have completely abated.

“You are.”

We reach the corner where we turn toward Sunny Days, and she stops me with a hand on my wrist.

“I am sorry, though. This has become so much more than you wanted.”

Golden rays of sunshine make it look like she’s wearing a crown. Her eyes are lit with worry and her brows arch in concern. Her cheeks are bright, her nose still a little red from crying, and her lips are parted and perfect in the way they always are. In the way that tells me I’ve got to stop looking, stop taking in every lovely inch of her before the longing is etched plainly on my face for her to read.

My god, she has no idea. No idea what I want.

But I can’t lay out how much I already feel and risk her feeling trapped. The mention of her ex is a sobering reminder of what she’s been through. I will do nothing that might make it harder for her to do what she wants.

“Declan?”

Clearing my throat, I nod. “It’s not what we expected, but it makes sense. Maybe it’s even better—it’ll lend credibility to the whole thing.”

“Right. Yeah. Good point.” She’s nodding, holding her bag in front of her, and I realize with a jolt that I never took it from her, like an ass.

“I think, since we’ll have a slightly larger audience, we may need some time to…” It feels foolish to say “get to know each other,” but that’s what I mean.