As much as I want to peel off her clothes and slip inside her, I don’t want to do it while I’m feeling this depressed.

“Can I just hold you while we fall asleep?” I ask, hoping she doesn’t run out the door from my request. “I know that seems stupid, but—”

“It’s not stupid at all,” she interrupts me. Her hands tremble as she places them on my arms and pulls me closer.

I smile against her neck. “I think you might like me a lot, Clara McKiney.”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe even what? Love me?”

“Shhh….” she whispers, but I can hear the grin through her voice. “Go to sleep.”

We spend the rest of the night curled up in bed, spooning each other. It’s probably one of the best and worst nights of my entire life. Best, because I have Clara and worst because I realize how much energy I’ve wasted worrying about my mother all these years.

The next morning I feel a tad bit better. . Not only am I going home, but in the midst of arguing with my mother, I somehow got a bit of closure. For the last couple of years, I’ve felt so guilty over bailing on my mom when it was clear she couldn’t take care of herself, but after that move she pulled to get money from me, my conscious feels clearer.

Now, if I can just convince my sister I'm okay, life will be fantastic.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay driving all the way home?” Avery asks me over the phone. The speaker is on so I can easily chat with her while I pack. “After what happened, I’m a little worried you might be too stressed out.”

“I’m fine,” I assure her as I stuff a pair of jeans into my duffel bag. “Clara’s here with me and she can help me if the stress interferes with my driving skills.” I roll my eyes at the absurdity.

“You always say you’re fine, even when you’re not,” Avery argues.

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Clara calls out as she walks out of the bathroom wearing shorts that hug her perfect ass, a clinging pink tank top, and towel drying her hair.

“Hey Clara,” Avery greets cheerily. “How are you?”

“Fine.” Clara drops the towel on the bed then scoops up a brush from the nightstand. “I’m glad to be heading home, though.”

“I bet you are,” Avery says. I can hear a guy talking in the background, telling Avery to relax. It’s probably Tristan, which is good. He’s great at getting Avery to chill out when she’s in mom mode. “That place can really get to you, huh?”

“The trip hasn’t been all that bad.” Clara’s cheeks flush as she glances at me with a flare of desire in her eyes.

Such a dirty mind, I mouth as I fold a shirt up.

“Good, but just keep an eye on Jax, okay?” Avery says. “He hates admitting when he needs help.”

“I will,” Clara reassures her while running the brush through her damp hair.

Avery makes me promise her I’ll call if I need anything before I hang up.

“She cares about you a lot.” Clara stuffs the brush into her bag then winds around the bed toward me.

“She worries too much.” I zip up my duffel bag.

“Worrying about someone isn’t a bad thing.”

“Nope, not at all.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, though?” she checks, gently grabbing my hand that I bashed into the wall last night. She examines my scraped, swollen knuckles. “Does it hurt?”

I shake my head, watching in fascination as she fusses over me. “Not really.”

“What about here?” She lets go of my hand and presses her palm to my chest, right above my heart.

“You’re getting soft on me,” I joke lightly, even though my heart does ache. “But that’s okay. I like this side of you.”

Her cheeks pink with embarrassment. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, so stop worrying.” I sweep my finger across her cheek, then pick up my bag and sling it over my shoulder. “Now it’s time for me to fuss over you.”

She leans over to grab her bag from off the floor, flashing me a great view of her ass. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s time to head up to the Tetons.”

“I’m going to be fine. It’s not like my father just passed away. It’s been a couple of years. I’ve already mourned. This is just for closure and so he can finally be laid to rest.”

“I know you’ve already mourned, but if you get a little bit emotional just know that I’ll be right there to hold your hand.”

She doesn’t say anything, only stands on her tiptoes and places a kiss on my stubbly cheek, which might speak more than words.

“Thank you,” she whispers then rushes off to make sure she hasn’t left anything in the bathroom.

After we’ve gathered all our bags and belongings, we head out the door. Then we load up our bags, and check out at the front desk. As we’re returning to the Jeep to leave, a sleek, black car pulls up beside us. The tinted windows obscure the view on the interior, but I have a feeling I might know whose inside.

Moments later, the back window rolls down, and my suspicions are confirmed.

I inch to the side, blocking Clara from Marcus’s view.

A slow grins curls at his lips. “So, funny thing, your mom showed up last night saying she’d have my money by morning. I woke up thinking I’d be seeing my thousand dollars. Come to find out, she stole a lot of very valuable stuff from me and took off.”