Did it mean she was willing—however hesitantly—to give her a chance?
To get to know her?
Nina had never dared hope for anything like that.
But maybe this was just politeness, an attempt to ease the awkwardness.
Maybe Lynn was trying to prove something to herself that she was strong enough to rise above her anger.
Nina bit her lip, her gaze drifting aside. She didn’t want to disappoint her. And she knew, deep in her bones, that she would endure any amount of discomfort—yes, even Jasper’s complicated presence if it meant being even an inch closer to Lynn.
Lynn must have noticed her hesitation; her brows knitted together, and she looked back down at her plate. Her fork scraped faintly against the plastic, betraying her anxiety.
“If you have other plans,” she added quickly, sounding almost apologetic,“that’s fine. I just remembered it and thought I’d ask. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”
Nina caught her cautious glance, and something inside her clenched again.
No. She couldn’t let this chance slip through her fingers.
“No, no, it’s fine!” she blurted out, far too quickly—hands lifting in a little, flustered gesture.“I’d love to go. Really. Thank you for inviting me.”
Lynn froze for a beat, then gave a small nod and went back to her salad. But Nina saw it—how Lynn’s shoulders relaxed just barely, a quiet exhale of relief.
Jasper watched the two of them with a look Nina couldn’t quite decipher, a faint smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
And in that moment Nina understood that this was a first step.
A tiny one, unsure and fragile, but a step nonetheless.
Toward becoming someone more to Lynn than a stranger she wished she’d never met.
CHAPTER 54
Nina drove up to the gates of the animal shelter slowly, trying to calm her nerves. Her breathing was uneven, her heart beating faster than usual. And there was that strange, indefinable flutter she felt every time she thought about him.
She pulled up next to a familiar car. Lynn, dressed in a tracksuit, was leaning against the hood, chatting with her father and showing him something on her phone. He stood beside her, hands in his pockets, a smile on his face, nothing like the one he wore at the hospital. This one was softer. More… human. Relaxed, even.
Nina exhaled sharply and tightened her grip on the steering wheel, forcing herself not to panic. They’d already noticed her. Lynn lifted her head; Jasper shot a quick glance in her direction. Nina took a deep breath and turned off the engine.
The night before, her security team had helped her load the trunk with several oversized bags of pet food, toys, and bedding. She’d clearly gone overboard: nervous, unable to stop herself while filling carts at the store. Now she had no idea how she was going to unload all of it.
She got out of the car, took a couple of steadying breaths, and adjusted her hair. Gravel crunched under her shoes.
Jasper approached first—calm, confident. Dressed simply: a T-shirt, athletic pants, white sneakers. The severity of his usual presence seemed to have melted away, and for some reason, Nina found herself liking that. As if he felt less… dangerous.
“Hey,” he said shortly. She popped the trunk, and he peered inside.“Did you decide to feed the entire shelter?”
Nina pressed her lips together, feeling heat rise to her cheeks.
“I just… couldn’t stop myself,” she admitted quietly, lowering her gaze.“I wanted there to be enough for everyone.”
Lynn walked over too, hesitating slightly. She looked at Nina, then nodded, lips tightening as if attempting a smile.
“Hi,” she said. Her voice sounded strained, but Nina chose not to dwell on it. This was her chance—to get to know her daughter, to try to build something real.
She glanced toward the shelter and noticed a young woman stepping out through the gate. She wore a green T-shirt with the shelter’s logo, her hair pulled into a high ponytail. Freckles dusted her face, and her smile was so bright it seemed to light up the entire place.
And that smile was directed straight at Jasper.
