Trade It All(52)

Asher frowned at Lance. “What the fuck did you do?”

Grant weighed the possibilities, then said, “Kenzi had to have said something to Dax. Did you say something to upset her?”

Lance didn’t respond. His mind was racing. He and Kenzi were on good terms. This had to be about Willa. It didn’t add up. Why would Kenzi act like she wanted Lance to go out with her friend, but then tell Dax she didn’t want him to?

Ian pocketed his hands and rocked back onto his heels. “You need to figure it out before it blows up in your face, Lance. Fix it. There’s no winning in this situation. If we side with you, we side against Kenzi. We can’t do that.”

Asher flexed his hands. “I could take Dax.”

Grant sighed. “No one is taking anyone. Something obviously upset Dax. Are you sure you don’t know what he’s talking about, Lance?”

Lance lifted and dropped a shoulder. “Why would I lie?” He looked over and caught Willa’s eye. She had been laughing but suddenly looked concerned when she saw his expression. He forced a smile to his lips. “Willa and I were together briefly, a long time ago. Kenzi might have told him about that, but his reaction is extreme to say the least.”

Looking as if he was trying to solve a puzzle, Grant added, “Unless Willa said something to him. She works in his office now, doesn’t she? Is she upset with you about something?”

Lance met Willa’s eyes across the room. He wanted to say no, but he wasn’t sure. He remembered what she’d said about the past being too much for her to be able to deal with.

Because she was a virgin?

Because I kissed her sister?

Was it what I said to her later out of anger?

She wouldn’t tell Dax any of that, would she?

And, if that’s it, I will feed Dax’s fist right back to him. He’s no fucking saint, and we welcomed him into our family.

From Willa’s expression, it was obvious she knew Lance wasn’t happy. He tried to reassure her silently. It wasn’t something he wanted to discuss with her right then, but they’d be alone soon enough.

Why, Willa? What is it that Dax knows that you haven’t shared with me? You said you were willing to start fresh.

Dale walked over to join his sons. “Is everything all right?”

When none of them answered him, his gaze flew to where Dax and Kenzi were sitting. “He’s family now or very soon will be. Whatever is going on, you need to settle it in a way that doesn’t change that.”





Chapter Twelve




Willa was relieved when, after dinner, everyone flowed into the living room for coffee. Even though the meal itself had been perfectly executed by the Barrington’s cook, Willa had barely touched any of the courses. There was tension at the table that she couldn’t help feeling she was the cause of.

Lance hadn’t left her side, but not in the flirtatious, attentive way that would have left her smiling. He hovered over her protectively, which only put her more on edge. Does he regret bringing me?

Only the women in the room seemed happy with how the evening was going. The men kept their expressions carefully neutral. Willa didn’t know what had been said, but she prayed Dax hadn’t said anything. The look of disgust in his eyes when Lance spoke made her nervous that he had.

Why did I ever say anything?

Who needs enemies when I can sabotage my own happiness?

Willa wasn’t sure what to think when Emily pulled her off to the side. “Can I ask you a question?”

I’m not saying anything. I’ve already said too much. “Sure,” Willa answered.

“Kenzi told me you were reading her aunt’s journal. I wanted to ask you what you thought.”

Journal? Oh, yes. “I was supposed to, but it never happened. Why?”

Emily placed her hand on her stomach. “I could be paranoid because I have baby on the brain, but I still get goosebumps every time I think about how obsessed their aunt was with Sophie’s last pregnancy. She hated her so much for having a girl when she’d never had one herself. Then all those numbers. They have to mean something.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “To have a nasty woman like that fixated on your babies and then for one of them to die—” She shuddered. “What if she did something to the baby?”

“Kenzi’s twin died in the hospital from premature complications.” Even as Willa said it, her stomach lurched. She didn’t want to think about babies, not having them, not losing them.

“Asher doesn’t want to talk about it. Do you know if they were given the body?” Emily’s eyes were large and round.

Whoa, that came out of nowhere. “I think Kenzi said he was buried with Dale’s family.” Willa said softly. The last thing she wanted to do was be caught talking about Kent during what was already an awkward evening.