Chapter 16

Emma

Despite my absolute mortification, Reed doesn’t seem fazed by the scene in front of him. Instead, he bends down to help my Mom up despite her clumsy protests.

“I can get up by myself,” she croaks.

“I know,” Reed replies in a gentle tone. “But wouldn’t it be easier if I helped you?”

He shoots my Mom am innocent-looking smile designed to charm any woman out of her bitterness.

It works.

My Mom blushes and Reed looks satisfied when she allows him to help her back to the table. Even if my Mom and I don’t get along, my heart softens for him, even if it’s just a fraction.

Reed is sweet.

“Is she going to be okay?” Reed asks me with an arch of his brow, indicating my Mom, who’s now sitting on a chair giggling at a half-eaten sandwich that she is holding.

“She will be fine,” I tell him. “Let’s get my stuff.”

“Won’t they wonder where you’re going?”

My face burns. Reed doesn’t know that my Dad is abusive and that my Mom basically hates me since I’m the child she never wanted—they won’t care