only if you can be mature enough to accept that they are a couple, and that you hating Ryder kills your sister.” My mouth went dry, but now that I’d started I couldn’t stop talking. “That stress alone is bad for her. If you can handle me telling you the truth and then do something about it, I can help you. Otherwise I’m afraid you may just repeat the pattern. Maybe not in the exact same way, but as long as there is tension, it poses a risk to Jade and her pregnancy.”
Harrison brushed his hand through his hair. “What you say makes perfect sense. I never thought of it like that. Fuck, I’m a mess.”
I smiled at him. “I wouldn’t go that far . . . there is hope for you. Just being aware of the problem and looking for a solution is a great start.”
“You’re a smart woman, Eva Ryder.”
“Most of the time. Sometimes I can do dumb things too, just like everyone else.”
“It takes a brave person to admit that.”
I chuckled and took a long sip of my smoothie. “How did this conversation become about me? I thought we were talking about you.”
“Ahhh, I’d much rather talk about you. You are far more interesting.”
Jade returned to the table, rubbing her hand over her stomach as she sat down. “That feels better. Now I have room for the next course.”
Chapter 5 — Harrison
Eva was the smartest and sexiest woman I’d ever met. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and she didn’t sugarcoat her opinions, either. The fact that she could pinpoint my problem so accurately didn’t really surprise me, although her words hit me hard.
How I was going to make peace with Ryder being a part of my future and family was a problem tougher than I was willing to admit. It wasn’t a switch I could just turn on at will. Granted I didn’t hate him as vehemently as when I just met him, but it was unlikely I’d ever become friends with the biker. We were just too fucking different.
“I turn my back and you become all serious again.” Jade was sharp. As usual, she could read me pretty well. There wasn’t much I could hide from her.
“We were just discussing something important.”
“What? Is it about me? I noticed how you both went quiet when I returned to the table. That’s usually a dead giveaway that people were talking about you.”
Eva quickly spoke up. “Oh no, it’s nothing like that. Harrison just asked my opinion on something and I—”
God, this woman was more than amazing. She was trying to bail me out, and I loved her for it, but it was time to tell Jade the truth. I cleared my throat before I started. “Sis, I worry about you. I don’t know where to begin to apologize for what happened before.” I choked on the words, so I took both her hands in mine while I composed myself. Rubbing circles on her icy-cold hands, I was aware of her shallow breathing as she sat frozen.
It was at that moment the waitress brought our coffees and desserts to the table. Dropping Jade’s hand, I sat back and waited for the girl to set it all down in front of us. She must have sensed that something was going on because she didn’t flirt with me like she had done before. I thanked her and gave her a small smile. The tension at our table was thick, and I couldn’t wait for her to leave so I could talk to Jade.
Why I’d chosen this moment to apologize I wasn’t sure. I only knew I couldn’t let another minute pass without at least trying to fix things between us. Although Jade had always been polite since she’d lost her baby, she was definitely more reserved when she was in my company and certainly a little cautious. It dawned on me that when Ryder was around, she made a point of hiding from me and placing him between us.
Christ, was I that much of a monster that my own sister was wary of me? How had that happened? Her adoration had turned into fear, and I hadn’t even realized it until this moment because I was too fucking wrapped up in my own head.
“Jade, I know words are empty and hardly adequate to express how sorry I am for all the pain I caused you.” I caught a glimpse of Eva’s face. She wasn’t happy with me either. Fuck.
“And?”