Page 45 of The Price of Love

Dimples opens her mouth to say something else, but I interrupt. “You don’t have to answer her prying questions.”

“Sorry.” Shadow smiles and pushes her potato salad around on her plate. “It was an ugly divorce.”

“I’m sorry,” Dimples says. “When did he…uh—”

“She,” Shadow says.

My heartbeat quickens. I’m certain Dimples slipped in the question for me. She’s always been able to read me, and I know I’m gonna hear it when she gets me alone.

“How long has it been?”

Shadow puts down her fork, giving up the pretense of eating. “We separated a couple of years ago, but it was finalized early last year.”

“Are you ready to get back in the saddle?” Dimples asks.

I’m gonna kill her.

Shadow shrugs. “I’ve not given it much thought. Like I said, the divorce was ugly.”

Despite seeing only Shadow’s profile, I recognize the pain etched on her face. “Dude,” I say. “Leave her be. She’s trying to enjoy the run.”

Shadow turns to me and smiles. “It’s okay. She’s not doing anything wrong. It’s me. She’s right. After this much time, I should be further along.”

That’s baggage I don’t need. Which means I need to run. Fuck. What am I talking about? There’s nothing to run from—Thorns and Graces don’t mix. I take a big bite of my sandwich, and I’m surprised when Shadow puts her hand on my arm.

“It’s not like that,” Shadow says as if she read my mind. The fuck. Am I that transparent? “I’m not hung up on her or anything. She’s just made my life hell.”

On her admission, my protective side kicks into overdrive. “What’s she doing?”

Shadow glances around the table before her gaze returns to me. “I can’t believe I’m talking about this.” She twists her napkin between her hands as she speaks. “My ex is a divorce lawyer in Albany.”

“A barracuda?” Dimples asks.

“She makes a barracuda look like a dolphin,” Shadow answers.

My jaw tightens.

“She took my kids,” Shadow adds.

Anger bubbles inside of me as I struggle with what to say.

Dimples jumps in. “How many kids do you have?”

Shadow’s face lights up. “Two. Nora and Leah.”

“How old are they?” Dimples asks as I sit there like a mute moron.

“Nora is four and a half, and Leah is six.” Shadow reaches into her jacket pocket and pulls out her phone. “This is them. It was Leah’s sixth birthday last month, and they helped me make cupcakes.”

I smile at the picture of two adorable little girls. The oldest has an intense expression as she holds up a spatula, while the younger one sports a carefree smile.

“They’re adorable,” I say. “They look like you.” Shit. Did I just call Shadow adorable? She is, but it’s not something I should say out loud.

Shadow puts the phone against her chest. “They’re my heart.” Sadness washes over her face. “But I don’t get to see them enough.” She glances down at her half-eaten plate of food. “Every other weekend, unless my ex can find a reason to keep them from me—she’s creative.”

“She keeps them from seeing you?” Dimples’ voice is loud, and several women sitting at our table glance our way. Dimples waves her hand at them. “Sorry, just ignore me.”

Everyone looks away, but Prospect One’s gaze lingers until she sees me noticing. Then, she shifts her attention to her plate.