Page 101 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

She often spent time with her friends’ children, but having no siblings, she hadn’t been involved in all areas of their lives. Looking down at the little boy, Nina thought maybe it would be nice to have a kid of her own one day. Who would be the father was a thought for another day.

After they’d eaten and tidied everything away, the night sky had turned dark, so they all climbed into cars and headed into Lyntacky to watch the tree lighting. She found herself wedged between Finch and Lynx again.

“I like your family.”

“You know all of them,” Finch said.

“I know, but until today I hadn’t seen them like that.”

“It’s not often all of us are together like that because we’re always away,” Lynx said, and the note of longing in his voice made her wonder if the life of a rock star wasn’t all she’d thought it was.

“I guess so. But it’s nice to see that—the family thing,” she added, wishing she hadn’t started the conversation.

“They have their moments, but I could have done without the mismatched clothing made from curtains and cast-offs,” Lynx said.

“And the lunch in those wax sealed bag things that Dad made,” Finch added. “The food always oozed out the sides.”

“I’d forgotten about those,” Lynx said. “Do you remember that homemade seed bread that mom used to cut two inches thick for sandwiches?”

“I don’t think it’s something I’ll ever forget,” Finch said solemnly.

They kept the stories coming as they drove into town, and Nina felt petty and small-minded because she was jealous, so instead she forced herself to laugh.

“I’m glad the torment of our childhood amuses you,” Finch said, pulling into a park on the main street.

“I wish I could remember your clothes,” Nina said.

“Heartless woman,” Lynx muttered, getting out his side.

They joined the other locals standing around the tree, waiting for the announcement. She could feel Finch at her back, his hand on her shoulder. Looking around at the people closest to her, she saw their eyes were on them, some knowing, others speculating. The surge of panic swept over her so fast, it took Nina a moment to realize what it was.

It wasn’t rational, but suddenly she felt as if she couldn’t breathe. All the wonderful warmth she’d felt surrounded by Finch’s family had gone, and she needed desperately to be alone.

Was she having a panic attack? She hadn’t had one of those since she was a teenager.

Get it together.

“I need the bathroom, so I’m heading to the Do Si So. Back soon,” she said as calmly as she could.

“It’s the elderberry wine,” Finch said. “I’ll walk with you.”

“No! …Thank you,” she added quickly in a softer tone before walking away.

He followed her anyway. “Nina, are you all right?”

She turned to look at him. Did she love this man? Could she really be in love with him after such a short time? How could she even contemplate that when her life was hell, just like his? Was her father coming to Lyntacky? The panic was nearly choking her now.

She tried to stomp it down, but it felt like it was choking her.

“Can you please just back off, Finch?”

“What?” He looked confused.

“I-I need some space.”

“From what?”

“You,” she snapped. “This—and what’s going on. I feel like I’m being smothered.” The words weren’t what she meant to say, but they came out in a rush before she could stop them. Panic was making her irrational.