My heart jumps.
Shane, the ex-best friend.
The one caught in a compromising position with Lilah.
Shane drags a hand over the back of his neck and exhales slowly. “Look, Kades… I know things ended bad… worse than bad. What Lilah and I did wasn’t right.”
Mercs doesn’t interrupt. He just stands there, steady, watching him.
Shane shakes his head. “We never set out to hurt you. It just…happened. And when we realized how fucked up it was, we ended it. Out of respect for you. For what we did.”
Mercs’ jaw tightens slightly, but his voice stays level. “Doesn’t change that it happened.”
“I know,” Shane says quietly. “And I’ve gotta live with that. I just didn’t want you thinking I didn’t give a shit.”
Mercs studies him for a long moment, then surprises me.
“You did me a favor,” he says calmly.
Shane blinks. “What?”
“You did me a favor,” Kaden says, his voice steady but firm.
Shane raises his brow. “A favor?”
“Yeah.” Mercs shrugs slightly, like the words don’t cost him anything. “If that hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t have left town. Wouldn’t have gone chasing something bigger. Wouldn’t have found what I’ve got now.”
He looks down at me then, and the intensity in his eyes makes my breath catch.
“And when you find it,” he continues, glancing back at Shane. “Real love? The kind that levels you? Man… it takes your breath away.”
My chest swells so full I swear it might burst.
Shane studies him for a moment before nodding slowly. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious.” Mercs’ arm tightens around my waist. “So, if you want Lilah? Go after her. Don’t hold back because of me. I’m not standing in the way of anyone’s happiness.”
Shane lets out a breath that sounds like it’s been trapped in his lungs for years. “I didn’t know how this would go today,” he admits. “I half expected you to swing first and ask questions later.”
A corner of Mercs’ mouth lifts. “Would’ve, once upon a time.”
Shane laughs under his breath. “Yeah, that tracks…” He hesitates. “Maybe we could grab a beer sometime? Have a proper talk like we used to.”
Mercs studies him for another long second, then steps forward and pulls him into a rough, back-slapping hug that looks more instinctive than planned. “Yeah,” he mutters. “I’d like that.”
Around us, the town pretends not to stare, but smiles spread anyway. The tension dissolves into something almost warm.
Shane pulls back and looks at me. “And hey… sorry for hitting on your girl. If I’d known—”
“It’s fine,” Mercs cuts in. “Just use those so-called seduction powers on Lilah instead. You’ll eventually wear her down.”
Shane chuckles. “Fair enough. Good seeing you, Kades.” He gives us one last nod and heads off through the market crowd.
I turn in Mercs’ arms, sliding my hands up his chest, looking at him like I’m seeing him for the first time. “That was impressive.”
He tilts his head. “Was it?”
“You didn’t punch him,” I say with a grin. “That inner calm of yours? Kinda hot.”
