“How well I know it.” That was pretty much the story of my life. “But the more you’re here, the more they get to know you, the less they’ll talk.”

She shook her head. “How does Jax do all this and still get to keep his precious career?” There was an edge of panic in her eyes.

Ugh, and there went my stupid heart with the aching again.

“Well, first, be a little easier on yourself. Jackson hasn’t been a kindergarten dad yet, so he hasn’t done all this. It’s brand-new territory. Is something else stressing you out, Claire?” The level of agitation seemed a bit unjustified.

She warred with herself for a second, then sighed. “I have an audition today, and they agreed to do it through video chat, which is pretty much unheard of. But the only time the director has is exactly when Fin gets out, and Mom has a doctor’s appointment, and Brie has some meeting, so I’m going to have to cancel it. I’m trying so hard to do both—to figure out how to be Finley’s mom and not lose my career, but…” She shook her head and looked away.

I bit my tongue and reminded myself that I couldn’t judge her for the way she’d abandoned Fin for the last five years since she was here now and obviously trying her best. “Why don’t I bring her home with me?”

Her gaze snapped to mine.

“Really. Just leave her booster at the front office, and I’ll carry her home. No big deal. It’s not like you live across the island, remember? Just come grab her when your audition is over.” I could get Fin’s opinion on the paint colors for the guest room and maybe even sneak in some shell hunting.

“I can’t ask that of you,” she protested, but there was a spark in her eye.

“Yes, you can. I love Finley. I love spending time with her, and honestly you’d be doing me a favor.” I lifted my badge. “And I’m background checked and everything.”

“But you and Jax…” She hesitated.

I suddenly wished I had his pendant around my neck instead of in the truck. “This isn’t about Jackson. It’s about Fin.”

She glanced nervously as parents snapped pictures of every conceivable “first” of the morning. “Okay. Thank you. I guess I didn’t realize it would be this hard. Or maybe I did, and that’s why I stayed away so long.”

“It’s not a problem,” I assured her. “I’m always available to help, if you’ll let me.”

She flashed a Hollywood smile, but it was tinged with a note of desperation.

I started taking Finley home every day.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jackson