Page 66 of Dead Girls Don’t Forget

She pushed the door open, scanned the room, and spotted me. Her face shifted into a small, surprised smile.

“Harper. Hey.”

“Lia.”

“I didn’t know you came here.”

“I don’t, mostly.”

“Mind if I sit? My feet are killing me.”

I gestured at the empty chair across from me. She set her bags down by her legs, dropped into the seat with a quiet sigh, and rolled her ankles once under the table. A short beat of silence settled between us.

“Look,” she said, leaning forward a little. “I know I’ve been distant with you. Cold, even. I’m sorry about that. It wasn’t really personal.”

I waited.

She kept her voice low. “Jackson’s family has always been my family. So when someone new comes into his life, I get… protective. Probably more than I should.”

I said nothing.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about him,” she said. “He’s been off lately. Distracted. Not really himself. I’m worried about him.”

I took a slow sip of my coffee. “He seems fine to me.”

“You’re new here. You don’t know what fine looks like for him.”

I didn’t answer.

She kept her voice soft. “I’ve known him since we were kids. He carries a lot — the pack, his father, all of it. He never asks for help. When things get bad, he just shuts people out. I’ve seen it happen before.”

I met her eyes. “Why are you telling me this?”

Lia looked down at her coffee for a moment. “Because you’ve only known him a few weeks. I’ve known him almost my whole life.” She gave a small, apologetic smile. “I just thought it might be better if you understood what you were getting into before things got serious.”

“You think I’m being naïve.”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I think you’re making decisions without all the information.”

She looked down for a second, then back at me. “I almost stayed out of it. But I can see he’s serious about you now.” A small pause. “I just don’t think anyone’s told you what that really means.”

I waited.

“Jackson’s life has never really belonged to him. The pack comes first. His father made sure of that.”

“People don’t always do what’s expected of them.”

“Maybe.” She held my gaze. “I just wouldn’t bet on it.”

She studied me for another moment, then stood, picking up her bags.

"I'm only trying to save you some pain."

I gave her a small, cold smile. “You’re not.”

Her mouth tightened. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t try.”

“I won’t.”