Page 39 of Found in Wild Sage

“Should we leave you alone with your thoughts? Come back later? Did you want to run after her dramatically?”

Grant shoots me a look, then shoves Finn out of the way.

“Yeah, we’re here to go through the schedule for Saturday, then we’ll leave you in peace.”

I step back so they can come through the door. A few minutes later, we’re out on the patio, and I realize Evie and I never finished our ice cream.

“Uh-oh, looks like things got interrupted. Did you two have a little rendezvous à la mode for dessert?” Finn flashes his brows.

I’m annoyed when my heart kicks in approval at the idea.

“No. We were discussing moving details, and I wanted to show her the paint color I used for Charlie’s room.”

I ignore Grant’s piercing gaze. I’ve avoided him effectively enough that I haven’t outright admitted this is all for the custody hearing. I’d rather not say it out loud, but if he gets me alone, it’s unlikely I’ll be able to avoid it. He’s been swamped at work, and he must be appeased by whatever Sam has told him after her time with Evie.

In the end, he’ll pin me down, I have no doubt.

Finn produces a folded piece of paper and makes a show of spreading it out to straighten the creases on the table. He talks through each time slot as though I’m too slow to read it myself, never mind the fact that my mother sent this same schedule to everyone in the family with clear instructions.

He finally ends his chatter, and I walk them back to the door. Finn exits, but Grant pulls the door shut, folds his arms, and gives me one of his signature looks. It’s his “I’m the oldest and you need to tell me everything” look, and he’s not getting what he wants.

From the other side of the door, we can hear a muffled Finn. “What the hell?”

“He’ll be fine. Your turn.” Grant brought his boss mode with him.

“All good. Ready for Saturday. No questions.” Keep it simple. Give him nothing to grab on to. That’s the only way out of this.

He hasn’t outright asked me if this is all for the sake of the custody issue, but Evie’s closest friend here is Sam, so there’s no way he doesn’t know from her even if he hadn’t figured it out on his own. And I’m certain he already had.

“Mm. And what if I have questions?”

I don’t respond. It is a skill I mastered in elementary school and has served to drive him and all of my siblings save Mac crazy. He’s the only one who also has the ability, and he might’ve nailed it earlier than I did.

“I need to know you’re okay.”

That’s always his motivation. Some might mistake his pushy way for needing control, but at his root, he is desperate to take care of people.

It’s this knowledge that moves me to respond. “I am okay. I promise you.”

He studies me in silence. I don’t want to withhold from him, but I also don’t want to have to say it’s all a sham. Because it’s not. We may not be doing this the traditional way, I believe it can be functional. No, we won’t have the romantic elements, of course, but it can be good. It will be.

“You like her.”

“Yes.” No point in denying it. He’s seen it for months.

“And she knows that? She feels the same?” His concern is vivid in the way his forehead wrinkles and his mouth turns down.

He’s not a naturally smiling person, not like our da or Finn, but he’s been so much less severe since Sam came into his life. Seeing him like this again makes guilt coil in my gut.

“We’re not involving feelings. But we’re on the same page. I’m not concerned.” It’s not the first time I’ve lied to him, but it’s perhaps the most egregious lie I’ve told him.

The truth is, we haven’t discussed feelings. We haven’t even talked about how long we think this will go on, or what we’re even aiming for.

The truth is, I have no doubt I can be a good partner to Evie and Charlie. But as far as my heart? Where I’m heading?

I am absolutely concerned.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN