Which is ridiculous. Why do we swoon over guys who are actual fathers to their children? If he’s raised her since birth, why would it be anything but expected that he’d stay by her side, despite a lack of blood ties? But I guess that just shows that the press doesn’t know Easton as well as I do, because none of his decisions regarding Abi have surprised me. Even his impending move back to Jackson Harbor fits now that I know more of the story.

Before, the news threw me. I vacillated between panic and dread and . . . excitement. It was the last that may have been responsible for my rash decision to accept George’s invitation back to his apartment for a glass of wine.

Teagan grimaces. “That makes sense.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It just helps explain it a little, I guess. Sleeping with a professor isn’t like you, but sleeping with your dissertation chair? Shay, that’s almost reckless.”

I lift the bourbon to my lips again, but the smell turns my stomach, so I put it back on the counter with a clunk and busy my hands by pushing it around. “I know, I know. But now here we are. George told me after we . . .” I want to say started dating, but that would be inaccurate. George and I didn’t start dating as much as we started sleeping together. “After we started seeing each other, he admitted that he’s been interested in me for years and I never seemed to pick up the hint. I had to be faced with this not-even-an-ex coming back into my life before I noticed the really incredible guy right under my nose.”

“It’s not like you were planning to use him to get Easton to notice you.” She hesitates a beat, squeezing my hand a little tighter. “Were you?”

“No. Of course not.” My feelings are messy right now, but I am sure of that. I wasn’t after jealousy. I was after protection—someone to be a barrier between me and East. I’m a total ass. “It was more like I was trying to put some distance between Easton and my heart.”

“That’s one hell of a crush, girl.”

I let out a dry laugh. I never told anyone in my family about what happened with Easton and me. The truth would change the way they look at him. I can’t do that to him or my family, though it’s Carter who’d be the most pissed. Teagan, on the other hand, won’t likely put a fist in Easton’s face if I tell her. “I didn’t tell you the whole truth about me and Easton.”

“You don’t say.” She arches a brow, unsurprised. “I won’t tell Carter, if that’s what has you worried.”

I swallow. “I appreciate that.”