“You knew I was going to ask about her. Get the arches, please.”

Jax dug the pads of her thumbs into Carly’s feet. She watched in amusement as the very pregnant woman squirmed. “She’s getting better, stronger each day. I think.”

“You think?”

“She’s been mostly quiet.”

“Why haven’t you been asking?”

She didn’t have an answer. “I don’t really know. I guess I got so used to everyone checking on her in the hospital and just trying to stay out of the way. And when I would ask, she didn’t always answer.”

“Make sure you keep asking—check in with her constantly. Just in case she’s trying to hide anything. You know how Gretchen can be sometimes.” Carly switched feet. “How was being back in the house?”

“Wyatt really caught you up, didn’t he?”

“My husband loves to talk.”

“And cook,” Wyatt said from the kitchen.

She inhaled deeply. “Are you making fajitas?”

“With homemade guacamole.”

“Are you looking for a third party in your marriage?” She kept her face serious as she propositioned Carly. “I cook, too, and I fold laundry like I came from the military.”

“With hands like these? You can have the bed, too. Wyatt can sleep on the couch.”

Jax could hear Wyatt laughing. Carly nudged her to answer. “Oh, um, it was fine. Weird, definitely, but fine.”

“Where did you sleep?”

“The guest bedroom.”

“All night?”

Jax didn’t hide her surprise. “Yes. All night.”

“Really? You didn’t try to sneak between her sheets?”

“What?”

“Carly,” Wyatt called out. “Go easy on her.”

“Yeah. Go easy on me or I stop.” Jax paused the massage to prove her point.

“Fine. Just wishful thinking on my part. I love you guys together, and I guess I was hoping you’d give it another shot.”

“I know, but it’s not going to happen. I’ve made my peace with it, and I think Gretchen has, too.”

Carly’s eyes were closed as she soaked up Jax’s touch. She looked so peaceful, like she had fallen asleep, but then she opened her mouth unexpectedly. “Gretchen will always be in love with you.”

Wyatt poked his upper body out of the kitchen, proud smile on his face and apron hugging his slight belly tightly. “Dinner’s ready.”

* * *

Jax arrived home nearly two hours later with a full stomach and rattled mind. She’d never asked Carly what she meant, and quite frankly she was too scared to want to know. She knew Gretchen would always love her, just as she would always love Gretchen, but Jax had long since resigned herself to believing Gretchen had fallen out of love with her. What exactly did Carly know that she didn’t? This was not a seed Jax needed planted. She stood at the front door and shook away any and all thoughts of Gretchen’s possible but completely impossible feelings for her.