Lara let out a soft sigh.
“I don’t plan on having a real relationship with him. That was never the plan.”
Ali narrowed her eyes. “Why not? Are you saying you don’t like him? Because, honey, you’re a terrible liar.”
Lara looked away.
“I do,” she admitted. “Of course I do. I’m attracted to him—I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But that’s not enough, Ali. I’m still… healing. I’m not whole. I’m still figuring out who I am outside of Lucas. I don’t want to jump into something real with him just because I feel some attraction. It wouldn’t be fair to Reagan.”
Ali’s expression softened.
“I don’t want to hurt him, Ali,” Lara continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to hurt the one person who’s made me feel seen. Who’s shown me what it’s like to be treated right. Reagan dese
