She arrived at the church ten minutes before Kieran’s memorial service started. The place was packed with Kieran’s friends, most absent at the funeral, but Rhiannon managed to find an empty seat. Luckily, it was as far away as possible from all the Ridgways… especially from Paxton. She wasn’t really a part of that family, so it was even more necessary to stay away.
Just as she’d expected, Paxton kept his distance, too. They seemed like two perfect strangers. Not even that sad moment could bring them together. She remembered how close she had felt him during the funeral. How attentive he had been, holding her, soothing her. That day, they seemed a real… family, comforting each other. That’s why seeing him so unresponsive was hurting her even more than she’d anticipated.
Paxton was as gor
