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“No promises.”

One was better than none.

Atticus arrived a few minutes later. Agnes said hello, but Beatrice only glared.

“Wow, this is a warm welcome.” Atticus nodded.

“I’m trying.”

“You’re doing good. One actually spoke to me.”

“Most of it is Jade.”

Atticus hummed as he sat on the couch. “You should go. Mark’s worried.”

That was enough to get me to focus. I headed to the door.

“Wait!” Agnes said. “Bye.”

Her tiny arms hugged me. Without thinking, I returned the hug. “I’ll be back, Agnes.”

“Okay.” She finally let me go and I turned to Beatrice, who still seemed to see me as her enemy.

“Bye, Beatrice.” She glared at me, and I wondered if she would push me out the door.

Then she ran and hugged me too.

“Come back,” she said before letting me go.

“I will.” I had to make myself say it through the cotton in my throat. I wanted to promise, but I knew how the girls felt about that word. “I plan on it.”

Jade was in the back of Bell’s Brews with one drink in hand. Her eyes were on the door the second I walked in, though I had a feeling it wasn’t for me.

I made my way over to her table, my eyebrows pinched.

“Hey,” I said.

She blinked. “What are you doing here?”

“Mark texted me.”

She blew out a breath.

I eyed her carefully. She was slouched over, chin pressed into her palm. Her beer was barely touched. “I’m fine.”

“Are you?” I challenged.

She sat up straighter. “Yes?” It came out more like a question.

I sat. “Need to talk?”

“Where are the kids?” she asked.

“Atticus is watching them,” I replied. “Don’t change the subject.”

“I have to do all my tricks to keep you on your toes.”

“Jade,” I said firmly. “Who hurt you?”