Kian (Undercover Billionaire, #1)(68)

“How are you?” Roxie asked.

“I’m wonderful, darling. How about you? We need to spend some real time together because I truly miss you,” Juliana said. She didn’t hesitate as she reached in and wrapped her arms around Roxie.

Without thinking twice about it, Roxie released Lily’s hand and grabbed on to Juliana as if she were a lifeline. A tear fell, and she found herself shaking as she accepted the woman’s embrace. If she could have ever dreamed of the perfect mother, it would be this woman with eyes so kind, they made a person instantly feel warm and taken care of.

Juliana held Roxie a long time before she released her. Her own eyes were shining as she looked at Roxie with a smile.

“I miss you, too,” Roxie admitted as she wiped away tears. “I’m sorry I’m such a mess right now. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She tried to laugh, but she was slightly mortified at how she was behaving.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Juliana told her.

“I’ve never apologized for not telling you goodbye four years ago,” Roxie said. This was long overdue.

Juliana cupped Roxie’s cheek in her small hand. “You had your reasons. And you don’t have to explain yourself. I’m just happy to see you’ve found your way home,” she told her.

Roxie had to fight new tears that wanted so desperately to fall. She’d never felt good enough to be a part of the Forbes family, but it wasn’t because of the way they treated her. No, it was all inside her own head. Anyone who was lucky enough to become a part of their family should embrace their fate.

“Let me take Lily to play with the other children while you relax for a while. You can have some much-needed time to yourself,” Juliana said.

Lily was bouncing up and down beside them as she gazed over at the kids. “Thank you,” Roxie said. Though it felt good to finally apologize, Roxie didn’t want to keep thinking about the past.

Juliana gave her one more hug before she offered her hand to Lily, who gladly took it and practically dragged Juliana away. Roxie had to take several calming breaths to pull herself together. She looked around and was grateful no one had seemed to notice their interaction. She moved over to the drink table and grabbed some iced tea, then found a nice little corner of the yard where she could stand back and observe.

“I see my mother’s found her granddaughter.”

Roxie felt tears again and pushed them down as she turned to see Kian beside her. He’d sneaked up from somewhere without her awareness. She really was all off-kilter. She’d been hoping to avoid any intimate moments, but it didn’t appear as if fate was on her side at the moment.

“Yes, it’s as if they never were apart,” Roxie said.

Juliana was laughing with joy as Lily climbed a giant slide and bounced her way down. There were at least a dozen children playing, ranging in ages from two to what appeared about ten. The tweens were mostly in a group over at a set of picnic tables, and the teens were dancing. All the children seemed to be paired off.

“I hate that she missed out on so much time, but I’m glad they’ve connected now,” Kian said as he watched his mother and Lily.

“I’m just grateful Lily has so many people who love her,” Roxie said. There was a part of her that feared Lily being taken from her, but she pushed it down. It wasn’t about her, it was about her niece.

“Me too,” he said. He rested his hand on her shoulder, and the touch reached all the way into her soul. She was bound to this man in ways she had no understanding of, but they were tied together. If she could figure out what that meant, she might be a happier person.

“What are you two doing standing off by yourselves?” Evan asked as he approached with a pink drink in his hand.

“What are you drinking there, girlie man?” Kian quickly replied.

Evan laughed. “I have no idea. Someone handed it to me, and I have to admit it might look girlie, but it’s damn good,” he said as he took a deep swallow.

Roxie laughed, grateful for the distraction. She truly did enjoy Evan’s company.

“I think I’ll stick with the beer,” Kian told him.

“Maybe ’cause you have to prove your manliness. I have nothing to prove, so I can drink pink drinks all night long,” Evan taunted him.

Kian glared at the man as he took a step closer to Roxie. She rolled her eyes. Macho posturing never had been a turn-on for her.

“Do you want to dance, beautiful?” Evan asked.

Roxie felt Kian tense beside her, and she was about to accept the invite when Kian spoke for her.

“No, she’s dancing with me,” he said.

Evan wasn’t at all offended. He just laughed as he moved away.

“That was rude, Kian,” she told him.

“I don’t care. You don’t need to be dancing with Evan,” Kian said.

Then he took her hand and began pulling her to the dance floor. She refused to cause a scene, so she reluctantly allowed him to drag her there. Right as they reached the edges, the tune changed to a slow song, and the overhanging lights above dimmed.

Roxie wondered if Evan had something to do with that. It seemed everyone she knew was trying to push her and Kian together. They didn’t know all the baggage standing between the two of them.

And if Roxie allowed herself to fall for this man again, would she end up losing everything? That was her greatest fear. She’d not only lose herself again, but now she would lose Lily as well. Her heart squeezed at the thought.