Tears filled my eyes, spilling over and tracking down my cheeks. They dripped off my chin and onto the carpeted steps. I didn’t do anything to stop them. I simply let them fall, one after the other.

My phone rang on the stair next to me. I wanted to ignore it, but it could’ve been Jensen. I swiped it up and looked at the screen. Clearing my throat, I answered. “Hey, Kenz.”

“Oh, good. I completely forgot to give you the mockups for the new building we talked about this morning. I’m driving past your place on my way home. Can I swing by?”

“Sure. You know the code.”

“See you in a few.”

I pushed to my feet and headed for the half-bath downstairs. I turned on the faucet as cold as I could get it. Splashing water on my face, I soaked up the freezing burn. Welcomed it. I patted my face dry with the hand towel and looked in the mirror.

I looked like hell. My skin was shock-white. Eyes red and swollen. But as the doorbell rang, I knew there was nothing to be done about it now. Maybe the light was dim enough that Kennedy wouldn’t notice.

I headed out of the bathroom and towards the entryway. Pulling open the door, I forced a smile. “Hey.”

“Hey—” Kennedy’s smile fell. “What is it? What’s wrong? Are Justin and Lyla okay?”

“Everyone’s fine.”

She scowled at me, pushing her way inside. “Bullshit. Where’s Mason?”

“He went for a walk.”

Kennedy surveyed my face. “Did you guys have a fight?”

I bit my lip to keep from crying and nodded.

She pulled me into a tight hug. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Come on.” Kenz guided me towards the kitchen, depositing me in the breakfast nook we rarely used. She bustled around the kitchen until she found a kettle and some tea. “Honey?” I pointed to the pantry, and she retrieved it. “Do you want milk?”

“No, thanks.”

In a matter of minutes, she slid into the nook next to me and handed me a mug. “Have some of this. It’ll help.”

I stared down at the swirling liquid. God, I wished it held all the answers I needed. That when I finished it, everything would somehow be miraculously mended.

“Tell me what happened.”

I placed a dollop of honey into the mug and swirled it around. “I had a run-in with Juliette this morning and didn’t tell Mason. But he found out and was royally pissed.”

“Because he wasn’t there to protect you?”

“Because I promised I would tell him if I had a run-in with her.”

Kennedy was quiet for a moment, taking a sip of her tea. “So, why didn’t you?”

“Because it was already the day from hell. We were supposed to have tonight. Just the two of us. Wine, the hot tub…”