A knot formed in Holly’s stomach at Jersey’s answer, but her friend stared straight ahead, refusing to look at her. ‘Jersey, are you sure?’

‘Yes.’

Hands unsteady on the wheel, Holly headed east.

Half an hour later, she and Sophie stood silently back but close enough for Jersey to know they were there to support her as their friend and cousin explained to Beau Cambridge that under no circumstances should he ever contact her again; that he should lose her phone number altogether.

Then, her posture almost regal, she turned and walked away without a backward glance. It was only once they were back in Holly’s car and around the block that she asked Holly to pull over somewhere. As soon as she could safely do so, Holly obeyed. Then Jersey unbuckled herself and after shoving the door open, she practically fell outside into the parking lot. Doubling over, she fell to the ground, her body vibrating as she howled, releasing more of the hurt and pain inside her.

Mindless of rubberneckers, Holly and Sophie dropped to the ground on either side of Jersey and wrapped their arms around her, holding her tightly, holding her together, promising they’d always be there for her, every step of the way.

Holly wasn’t sure how much time passed before Jersey’s tears were depleted, but the sun had definitely changed positions in the sky. When she was able to stand, they helped her back into the car, and as promised, Sophie sent a message to Aunt Natalia letting her know they were bringing Jersey home.

Chapter Fifty-Six

Wednesday, May 29

Wednesday morning, Alyssa met Cord in the parking lot outside the precinct when they both pulled in at the same time. She rounded the hood of her car, staring when he stayed by his driver’s door. ‘Morning. You okay?’

A smile broke out on her partner’s face. ‘Morning.’ He tipped his head toward the precinct. ‘Got a sec before we head in? I have some news.’

She ignored the nerves in her stomach. ‘Oh-kay.’

‘Sara’s pregnant. We’re going to be parents! Me, a daddy!’

Alyssa couldn’t stop the silly grin that spread from ear to ear, and she reached in and hugged her partner. ‘That is great news, Cord!’ She pushed away from him. ‘Wait, is that why you went to the doctor with Sara?’

Cord’s head looked like it might topple from his neck as it nodded up and down. ‘Yep.’

‘Well, congratulations. I have some news myself. Want to hear it?’

Cord’s elbow jostled her in the side. ‘You pregnant, too?’

Her own elbow hit him back. Hard. In the stomach. ‘God, no. Bite your tongue.’

‘Then what?’

‘Holly’s not going to Cornell after all.’

Cord stopped moving, and when she turned to look back at him, his mouth hung open. ‘What? And why are you smiling about it? What did Brock say?’

Even if she had wanted to rein in her pride, she couldn’t. ‘Brock is disappointed but also excited. And I’m smiling because Holly will be staying home to study criminology so she can follow in her mama’s footsteps.’