Free An Accidental Mom by Loree Lough Page B

laughing, “ that sounded sincere!”
    “Where’s Nate?” she asked, changing the subject.
    He pointed. “Over there, with the pastor’s kids. He’s lovin’ it here.”
    Georgia nodded. “It’s good to see him so happy.”
    “And healthy,” Lily put in.
    He looked at her then, as if seeing her for the first time. “Right,” he agreed, smiling sheepishly. Pocketing both hands, he said, “So, how have you been?”
    “Fine.” She squirmed on her chair. “You?”
    Max nodded, lips pressed tightly together. “Fine. Fine.”
    “You look a little tired,” she admitted, “here, around the eyes.”
    He ran a hand through his hair. “Nah. It’s eyestrain. I’ve been getting Mom’s books in order.” Max shot Georgia a feigned stern glance. “It’s been a while since she balanced the checkbook.”
    “Honestly,” she huffed, “do you have to air all my bad habits?”
    The three of them grinned nervously for a moment before Max broke the silence. “Lemonade, ladies?”
    “None for me, thanks,” Lily said, standing. She didn’t know how much longer she could remain this close to him without crying. Because, like it or not, she loved him still; admitting he didn’t feel the same way—and never would—hurt. Cut deep. Time healed all wounds, as the sages promised, but Lily had a feeling she needed distance every bit as much as she needed time. She headed for the card table that held bottles of soda, lemonade and iced tea. “Take it easy, Georgia,” she said, waving.
    “Wait,” Max said, grabbing her elbow when he caught up with her. “What’s your hurry?”
    Lily lifted her chin a notch. “I’m not in a hurry. I just saw—” she picked someone out of the crowd at random “—Cammi over there. I forgot to ask her something earlier.”
    “Really?” he said, a suspicious smile on his face. “What?”
    Pursing her lips, she said, “Something to do with the wedding. Girl stuff.” He hadn’t let go of her elbow, she noticed; the warmth of his big hand spread all the way to her fingertips. He stood so close she could inhale the crisp manly scent of his aftershave. She missed him desperately, though they’d never been anything but friends. But that didn’t stop her from wanting more, from dreaming and praying for more. Knowing she’d never have it was enough to break her heart.
    Lord, she prayed, save me or I’ll fall apart right here in front of him!
    Lily tugged free of his grasp and hurried to where Cammi stood, arm in arm with her fiancé.
    “Hey, kiddo,” Reid said when she walked up. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” she snapped. “What makes you ask a question like that?”
    “Oh, I don’t know,” her future brother-in-law replied. “Maybe that ‘I just lost my best friend’ look on your face?”
    She’d never been a crybaby, had never been one to give in to tears. For a reason she couldn’t explain, Lily felt a sob aching in her throat. It wasn’t likely she’d actually cry, but just in case, before the dam burst, she ran to the ladies’ room.
    “What did I say?” she heard Reid ask Cammi.
    “I’ll find out what’s wrong,” her sister said as the door swung shut.
    Lily locked herself in a stall and pressed her forehead to the cool, pink-metal wall. What was wrong with her? She’d had years to get used to the idea that Max would never be part of her future. Nothing had changed, so why the tears?
    “Lily? Are you okay in there?”
    She nodded, and then, realizing Cammi couldn’t see it, said, “Yeah. I’m okay.”
    “You want to talk about it?”
    She shook her head. “No. Not really.”
    “It’s about Max, isn’t it. I saw you two talking earlier. You want me to sic Reid on him? He can fix it so the lout wears black eyes and a swollen lip for weeks.”
    Lily snickered. “Thanks, but I’d hate for Reid’s fingers to be too swollen next week to wear his wedding band.” She opened the stall door and steppedinto the comforting circle of her sister’s