“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get carried away.” My cheeks flame with humiliation as I apologize.

“Don’t be. You sound like a good teacher, Liv, and those kids are lucky to have you.” Warmth flows through me at his words and eases some of my embarrassment. “I really was just curious. I didn’t mean anything bad by it.”

“I know you didn’t. Believe me, you aren’t the first person to ask me that question. It’s actually one of the reasons my ex and I split up, so I get a little heated when I talk about it,” I admit quietly.

And also the fact that he’s a lying, cheating bastard, but I keep that part to myself.

“Larson didn’t like you working there?”

My gaze snaps to him in surprise for knowing who my ex is. “No, he didn’t. But he was a jerk anyway so…” I shrug, deciding to leave it at that, or else I’ll end up going on another rant.

“The guy is an arrogant prick, but we can use jerk if you want.”

A smile teases my lips. “I take it you don’t like him?”

He grunts. “That’s an understatement. We’ve never gotten along. I was pissed when I found out that asshole got in with the DA’s office, because it means I have to see his smug ass on a regular basis.”

“I’ll bet. Even I was worried what it meant for Harmony Falls when I found out he was brought in to work with the DA.”

Clint Larson is not only arrogant but he’s also manipulative. It’s what makes him a good lawyer, I suppose. Unfortunately, I saw his true colors a little too late; it would have saved me from a lot of humiliation.

“How the hell did you end up with an asshole like him anyway?” Grayson asks.

“I didn’t know at the time what he was really like and, well,” I pause, feeling uncomfortable to admit this, “he noticed me and asked me out. That doesn’t happen often, so…” I shrug, feeling no need to elaborate further.

“You’re fucking crazy, Olivia, if you think you go unnoticed.”

My breath catches and my heart pounds wildly at the sound of his husky voice. For the second time I’m wondering what he means by that.

Has he noticed me before?

I find it hard to believe since he has women throwing themselves at him constantly, and back in high school he had Mandy Whitmore hanging all over him like a dog in heat. She might be good-looking on the outside but her soul is ugly. She’s never been a nice person.

I don’t think I’m unattractive by any means. I actually look a lot like my mama just not as beautiful, but no one is. She was in a league all on her own. Outgoing and audacious, people were drawn to her. Whereas, I’m…quiet—boring for lack of a better word. And quiet girls are often overlooked. I’ve had a few boyfriends, nothing too serious. I hate to admit it, but other than one guy I dated back in high school, Clint was my most serious boyfriend and that ended almost a year ago. Tania is always telling me to get out there and date more, but after what happened with Clint I needed time to pick up the pieces of my pride. Besides, I keep busy at the farm with Pap and making my jewelry.

I’m content right now.

“Thank you,” I whisper, not really knowing what to do with the compliment.

The easy moment evaporates and reality sets in as we pull up to the cemetery. I make no move to get out. I sit frozen, staring out of the windshield as dusk settles on several headstones ahead, my limbs feeling as heavy as my heart.

“You don’t have to do this, Liv.”

I look over at Grayson. He’s watching me carefully, concern burning in his deep blue eyes. “I know I don’t, but I want to pay my respects.”

He nods even though he doesn’t seem convinced it’s a good idea. Exiting the car, he comes over to my side just as I’m stepping out and grasps my elbow to help me. Just like yesterday, his touch is like branding heat, igniting my blood. I like the feeling. It’s something I’ve never felt before.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

His considerate gesture brings a smile to my face. “Thank you, but you don’t have to. I won’t be long.”

“All right. I’ll wait here for you.”

With a solemn nod I summon the courage to put one foot in front of the other, feeling Grayson’s eyes on me the entire time. I make my way through the cemetery where I see a freshly covered grave near the back right corner. The closer I get, the more my vision blurs with unshed tears. Lots of flowers, letters and pictures surround the mound of dirt, expressing sympathy and reflection on who Jamal was to them.

Lifting my dress a bit, I drop down to my knees and swipe at my tears before placing the potted plant on an open space. “I know what happened wasn’t you, it wasn’t the Jamal I knew. And I want you to know I’m going to remember the bright young man you were in my class, because I know in my heart that’s who you really were.”

I spend a few silent minutes remembering who he was and the future he had ahead of him. All of it gone because of one foolish choice.

“Olivia!” Grayson’s hard voice snaps me out of my reflective moment.

I turn around to see Jamal’s mother storming toward me, his two older brothers flanking her. The angry look on all their faces makes it clear I am not wanted here. The sheriff’s stern warning for me to not come today stands out in the back of my mind.

“How dare you show your face here!” she cries, her voice thick with tears.

My heart begins to pound so loud it’s all I can hear.

“Mrs. Jenkins, please. I mean no harm. I just wanted to…” I trail off as she reaches me and rears her hand back. Before I have a chance to comprehend her intention, Grayson jumps in front of me and takes the impending blow. I gasp when the palm of her hand lands across the side of his face.

He barely flinches. From my position I see him rub his shaven jaw from where her hand connected. “Back up, Mrs. Jenkins. I understand you’re upset, but—”

“Upset! You think having my son murdered makes me upset?” She goes after him in a rage, but thankfully, one of her sons grabs her, locking their arms around her waist.

“What are you thinking, Taylor, letting that bitch come here?” The other brother yells at Grayson. I believe his name is Darius.

Grayson takes a step toward him. “Watch your mouth, Jenkins. She wanted to pay her respects, this isn’t her fault.”

“It is her fault!” Mrs. Jenkins sobs. “She’s a murderer! You hear me?” She breaks into another fit of fury, her arms thrashing as she tries to escape her son’s tight hold. “You’re a murderer!”

My heart sinks, breaking for her monumental loss. “I’m so sorry. I swear I never wanted this to happen. I—”

“Get out of here!” Her voice is so raw, and filled with enough venom to knock me back a step.

“Come on.” Grayson grabs my arm and leads me back to the car. I jog to keep up with his fast, determined strides all while Jamal’s mother screams behind me, the agony of her loss ripping my heart to shreds. By the time I get back in the car I’m shaking uncontrollably, struggling for breath.

“Liv, hey, look at me.” Grayson leans over the console between us, his warm hands framing my face. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

I try to speak, but I’m still struggling for air.

“Just breathe. Come on, deep breaths.” Closing my eyes I will myself to calm down, slowly breathing in and out. All the while listening to Grayson’s soothing voice as his face hovers close to mine. “Good girl, deep breaths.”

Once I’m calm, I open my eyes and stare into his concerned gaze. “You okay?”

I nod, then reach up and touch his jaw, caressing the angry red skin. “I’m so sorry she hit you,” I croak, knowing it wouldn’t have happened if not for me.

“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault.” He glances behind me, jaw clenched, eyes tight. “Let’s get out of here. You sure you’re good now?”

I nod again. As he pulls away I make the mistake of looking back to where Jamal’s mother is—on the ground, in front of his grave, crying. She’s clutching her chest while her two sons comfort her. It makes me feel awful that I caused her more pain. I wish now I had listened to Sheriff Dixon and Grayson when they warned me not to come at all. I didn’t think I would run into them, the funeral ended hours ago.