her teeth. “For the record, I have zero feelings for Lucas.”
He grunted out a chuckle. “That’s good to know.”
“I wish I could tell you why I did what I did back then, but I can’t.” She hesitated. “All I can tell you is that I’m not that same person.” A hot blanket of shame covered her. “I truly am sorry for all of the pain I’ve caused you.”
“It wasn’t all your fault. I should’ve been more understanding of your need to go out and conquer the world.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Did I?” she squeaked, “conquer the world?”
“Yes,” he said ardently, squeezing her shoulders. “You did that and more! I’ve never been prouder.”
A sob rose in her throat. She choked it back down with a hard swallow. “I don’t feel like a success.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I feel like such a failure.”
“We often fail to see our own greatness,” Jaxson said practically.
“Thank you for not giving up on me,” she sniffed. “It seems so crazy that I wanted to go away to the city. The mere thought of living in such a big place turns my insides green.”
He chuckled in surprise. “Maybe you got everything you wanted and realized it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Her brain jumped forward. “When we were at the hospital, you said my mother’s in a care center in LA.”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to go and visit her.”
“Okay,” he said warily.
“Would you go with me? We can wait until you get better. Maybe seeing my mom will help trigger my memory.” She frowned. “We’ll have to figure out which care center she’s in.”
“You’ll be happy to know that my daddy’s having someone look into it.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? That’s kind of him.”
“He just wants to help you through the process.”
“Your parents are awesome,” she said with a tinge of awe.
“I think so.” There was a smile in his voice.
“It must be nice to have parents who are still so much in love, even after being together for so many years.” Watching them tonight—their lingering gazes, how Birdie would touch Knox’s hand when she spoke—had evoked a longing inside Lemon, making her realize that she wanted what they had, with Jaxson. Crazy that some core part of herself knew her inner desires, even though she couldn’t remember anything.
“My parents aren’t together.”
For a second she wondered if she’d heard him correctly. “Huh?”
“Nope,” he said regretfully. “They’re divorced. Have been since I was a teenager.”
“But they’re so close. Anyone looking at them can see that.”
“Yeah, it’s a strange situation, for sure. I’m grateful that they’re now close friends.”
She tried to wrap her mind around what he was saying. “What happened? If you don’t mind my asking,” she quickly added. It seemed to take forever for him to answer.
“My daddy had an affair.”
The air left her lungs. “No!” she exclaimed in dismay. “I can’t believe that,” she finished quietly. Despondency settled over her. It was silly, feeling that her and Jaxson’s future somehow hinged on what had occurred between Knox and Birdie. Maybe she was just searching for something solid and substantial to hold onto.
Jaxson must’ve sensed her gloominess because he angled to face her. He stroked her cheek with his thumb, giving her an encouraging smile. “Lemonade, you and I are gonna be just fine.”
More tears wet her eyes as she hiccuped a laugh. “You think so?”
“I know so,” he said with such certainty that it immediately soothed her fears.
He sighed. “I guess I should head to my own bed, so you can get some rest.” A low chuckle sounded in his throat. “I did promise my mama that I’d be a perfect gentleman.”
She giggled. “I’ll vouch for you.”
When he moved to leave, she placed the flat of her hand on his chest. “Stay, please … just until I fall asleep.”
“You got it,” he murmured.
They lay back against the pillows. Lemon scooted close. The steady beating of his heart was more calming than a lullaby. Her eyelids grew heavy. Just before sleep overtook her, a slice of memory slipped through. “Livingston,” she said groggily. “That’s the name of the man who took my gown.”
8
“Lemon had a bit of a breakthrough last night.”
Knox tipped his head. “Really? That’s good news.”
Jaxson and Knox were in the living room. Early this morning, Jaxson awakened to a phone call from Daddy, saying that he’d heard back from the detective and that he needed to speak to Jaxson alone. Not wanting to alarm Lemon, Jaxson suggested that Daddy come