she focused on Jaylynn's forced warmth.

dragged her into their aunt's new salon, insisting she be the prac

rough Jerred's as if it belonged there. Her smile remained as she gave Thea a s

t of her head, "Something simpler,

red towering beside her, she inquire

oice made it feel as if she,

ollarbone, his brow knitting as if the sight uns

and restrained-had no business st

arm around Thea's shoulders. "She's got the body for

"Or maybe you'd rather she hide her great figure bec

hter around Jerred's arm, her voice unsteady. "It's true. I've d

ing into a whisper. "I can't

aking into a sob. "But I wasn't jealous, I swear. I just thought the

s and saying, "What a performanc

dain. "You know exactly whether that wa

down in torrents at B

his tone edged with ice. "Tell

ted Jaylynn's trembling hand. He tried to comfort her, saying, "Do

er flicker in his eyes-an expression she h

in ripped straight

ck, exhausted, or quietly hurting, Jerred's gaze toward

ecause of Jerred's reserved nature, tha

looked at Jaylynn, she

indifference were separated by no

love into their marriage, realized s

burning away the silence

Willis, you pride yourself on being a seasoned and perceptive businessman. Sure

rrowed, but he o

d keeps his mouth shut, why can't my friend say something

nto still water, stilling th

r eyes wide. She looked as if she coul

lle, had lost her fire after her parent

elle stood up for her, Thea used to tug at Bri

s simpler to swallow her gri

e straight, her tone cutting through the

sn't just anyone-it was Jerred,

foreseen such defian

s tone. "Turns out my mother was right abo

n compliant, taking every s

sn't like t