“Rachel was my best friend,” I reply.
She shakes her head. “So young.”
I know.
I let out a breath of relief when she’s finally done, and I get to pay. I quickly swipe the credit card before loading all the flowers into my arms. “Thank you!” Rushing out of the store, I head to the trunk that Izak already has open and carefully place the flowers in it.
When I climb into the back seat, I reach for Lainey and pull her into a sideways hug. “I’m so sorry, my sweet girl.”
She brings her knees up and curls against me, crying her heart out. My own tears trickle over my cheeks as I try to comfort Lainey as best I can.
“I’m here,” I murmur, rubbing my hand up and down her back. “I’ve got you.”
Izak steers the car away from the curb and asks, “Should we go home?”
Lainey pulls away and wipes the tears from her face. “No. Go to Ralphs.”
“You sure?” I ask as I pat my cheeks dry.
She nods and lets out a quivering breath. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
I suck in a calming breath and press a kiss to the side of her head. I hope nobody else brings up Rachel while we’re out.
When we get to the store, Tyler sticks close behind us as we grab a cart.
“Is there anything you want?” I ask Lainey.
“We’re out of juice boxes and string cheese.”
I’ve noticed she likes snacking on them. “We’ll get some.”
I glance at the shelves as we head down the first aisle. There are all kinds of magazines, and Lainey grabs one for teens.
When she places it in the cart, a magazine catches my eye. I stop dead in my tracks, and it takes a moment to realize I’m staring at a photo of me and Easton splashed all over the cover. It’s from when he had his hands on my hips after I accidentally bumped into him at the bake sale.
The headline has the blood draining from my face.
Gold digger preys on Easton Rowe in his darkest time.
Does the A-list star need saving?
My gaze darts over the other magazines, and seeing one headline after the other, my breaths speed up as horror crashes through me like a tidal wave. Then I see a photo of Easton and me on the beach, where I’m staring up at him like a lovesick puppy.
Hollywood star involved in sordid fling whileabandoning his dying sister on hospice doorstep.
Where is Lainey Rowe? Already shipped off to a boarding school while mother’s best friend marries Easton Rowe in shotgun wedding?
“Nova?” Lainey takes hold of my hand and tugs on it. “Stop looking at them. It’s stupid fake news.”
Realizing Lainey has seen the godawful headlines, I grip her hand and rush down the aisle to get away from the magazines.
Tyler brings the cart, and I try to act calm while we continue to shop.
Oh my God. How . . . ? Why . . . ?
Lainey tugs on my hand to get my attention. “Nova?”
My heart lies heavy in my chest as I glance down at her. “I’m so sorry you had to see that.”
