Don't Need You - Lilian Monroe Page 0,31

business.

Not that I ask for it.

It’s almost like he knows how much I miss it. He’s giving me a little trail of breadcrumbs to follow, so I can go back and join the family again.

“Finn misses you, I think,” he says, glancing at me.

I grunt in response.

I’m just not ready. I can’t forgive and forget that easily. Finn betrayed me. He was supposed to be my friend. He was supposed to be in my corner, and he stabbed me in the back.

I let out a long breath as we turn down a residential street. Benji’s sister, Sarah, lives next door to an old, dilapidated house that’s been up for sale for months. There’s a clear line where her tidy, well-kept lawn comes up against the overgrown, unkempt lawn next door. We walk up to the front door and Benji enters the house without knocking.

I let out a breath, unable to feel anything but comfortable here.

Even though I know Finn is only a few blocks away. Even though my heart clenches whenever I think about him and Esme. Even though I stew in my own superiority and hate the thought of reconciling with him…

…Woodvale is still home.

Benji calls out into the house as we enter, kicking his shoes off as a small child comes barreling down the hallway toward him. He picks the little girl up, throwing her in the air as she squeals.

A woman pokes her head around the corner, letting out a sigh. “Benji,” she says. “Thank goodness you’re here.”

“This is Serena,” Benji says, throwing the little girl over his shoulder. “She’s teaching at Woodvale Elementary in the new year.”

“Fantastic!” Sarah answers, her smile splitting her face open. “You’re taking over from Heather when she goes on maternity leave?”

“Word gets around.” Serena grins, throwing me a quick glance.

“This is Woodvale, hon,” Sarah says, laughing. “They changed the school district boundaries last year, and we’ve had so many more kids coming to our school we can barely keep up. They’ve been hiring like crazy, and I’m sure they’ll be glad to have you on board.” She invites us inside as Benji scoops up another small child and carries them both outside. Sarah lets out a long sigh, slumping down on a stool. “Those kids are little tornadoes.”

Serena’s face splits into a smile. “I have a niece and nephew that age,” she answers.

“They’re hard work.”

“I’m lucky I get to give them back to my sister.” Serena laughs, but there’s a sadness in her voice.

I glance at her, wondering how much she really wanted to leave Connecticut. I know Angelo was bothering her, but I never thought about her leaving her family behind. Judging by Thanksgiving at her mom’s place, they’re a tight-knit group.

Her ex-boyfriend must have been a real monster to push her to leave all that. And based on the wistful look on her face as she watches Benji play with the kids, it was a hard decision.

There’s a strange tightness in my chest. As I watch Serena, I realize just how much she’s given up to be here. I want to stay true to my word and not cross any boundaries with her, but at the same time, I want to wrap my arms around her and tell her how brave she is.

Not only that, but it almost looks like she wants what I want. A family. A future.

She makes my heart stir in a way I’ve never experienced before. It’s like a primal reaction to her presence. A need to be her protector. Her defender. The person who will help her rise up and reach her full potential.

When we leave Sarah’s house, after an hour of gossip and laughter, Serena lets out a long breath.

“I’m glad I’m here,” she says, staring straight ahead. “Thank you for introducing me to your friends and for letting me crash at your place.”

A boulder lodges itself in my throat. This time, I don’t resist the urge to catch her hand in mine. Her fingers intertwine naturally in mine and we walk without another word.

As a cold November wind whips around the two of us, I feel warm. Heat buzzes through my veins, sending embers pumping to every corner of my body.

It’s not just desire, though. It’s something more. Serena is strong. I admire everything about her, from the sacrifices she’s made to the hardships she’s been through.

But as we make it back to my house, I drop her hand and clear my throat.

The fact that she’s given up so much to be