Chapter 784

“You broke up with Nate, and he just… said nothing?” I blinked at Lena, low-key stunned.

She gave a tiny, tired smile. “Maybe he’s done, too. Now he can live his life however he wants—no nagging, no guilt trips.”

Yeah, right. That sounded more like her venting than anything.

“Be real. Was breaking up just you blowing off steam? Or did you mean it?”

Lena shook her head. “No, I’ve actually thought it through.”

I snorted, and she laughed. “Seriously. Since I told him to come back to Kehlmark, I’ve been asking myself—what do women really want from love and marriage?”

“Stability, someone to rely on, right? If he can’t give me that, I can give it to myself. So why hold on to love or marriage?”

“Uh, maybe for keeping things… physically interesting?”

She cracked up. “Oh, please. If that’s all you want, you can ‘buy’ it—any flavor, any style, swap it out when you’re bored.”

That sent me over the edge. “Dr. Lane, you’re wild.”

Still, I got her point. “Lena, I’m with you, no matter what. I know how tough it is to walk away from someone. If it gets messy and you need to vent—or grab drinks—just hit me up.”

“Deal. I’m holding you to that,” she said, resting her head against mine. “But, um, I actually need you for something right now.”

“What’s up?”

“My grandpa’s birthday is today. I can’t dodge it anymore.”

She looked stressed. Her parents had been hounding her to show up. If she skipped again, her mom might cut her off entirely.

“Why are you so freaked out? Is your grandpa secretly a fire-breathing dragon?” I asked.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re hilarious. You know it’s not him.”

“You’re dodging because you don’t want to see Uncle Aaron, huh?”

She didn’t deny it.

“I mean, come on,” I said, nudging her. “You’re still hung up on that one awkward incident? The one where you, uh, accidentally saw a little too much? That was forever ago. Unless…”

I tilted my head, giving her a knowing look.

Lena frowned. “Unless what?”

I held up my hands. “Nothing! Forget I said anything.”

“Don’t act like you don’t know what you’re implying.” She shoved my arm. “He’s my uncle!”

Then she sighed, long and heavy. “It’s just awkward, okay? And after… well, after he saved me, it’s even worse. I just…”

She trailed off, and the hesitation in her voice made me pause. “Just what? What happened?”

“Nothing!” she said way too quickly. “Anyway, will you come with me? You always say my grandpa’s like yours too, remember?”

I laughed. “Are you seriously dragging me into this?”

“Yes or no?” She gave me that look.

“Fine,” I sighed, laughing. “But only for the food. I could use some good family vibes.”

As soon as I said it, I froze, the words hitting me harder than I’d expected. Even after all those years at the Johnstons’, I couldn’t deny how much I missed the warmth of real family moments.

Lena noticed. She threw an arm around my shoulders. “But you’re not getting a free meal. You’re buying a gift, too.”

“Fair. But you’re helping me pick it out,” I said, pulling her toward the gift shops.

At this artsy little store, we spotted Lindey, totally focused on some hand-lettered artwork. She hadn’t seen us yet.

“Want to hit another shop?” Lena whispered, clearly worried I’d want to avoid Lindey.

I shook my head. There was no need to. Sure, there were people I had issues with, but Lindey wasn’t one of them. My parents had drilled one lesson into me when I was a kid: always keep your grudges and gratitude separate.