He glanced at her again, this time more deliberately. “You cared about him. You still do. That doesn’t make you weak.”
Leah blinked, her grip on the glass loosening. “Yeah, well… caring’s only ever gotten me hurt.”
“And yet, you’re still the only one who can kick my ass for saying something dumb.”
That earned a faint laugh from her. Just enough to break through the haze clinging to her thoughts.
She looked at him, her gaze a little less guarded now. “You’re really not gonna let me sulk in peace, are you?”
“Nope.” Roland tipped his glass toward her in a mock toast. “Not a chance.”
Leah rolled her eyes, then turned back toward the booth. Toward Velicia and Cole.
The easy way Velicia smiled, the way Cole leaned down to whisper something in her ear. Their connection was visible, magneti
