Page 32 of Hidden & Held

“Jackson, right?” Sam asks, already knowing who I am.

“Yeah, hey Sam.” I hand him the reusable grocery bag. “I brought some supplies.” I purposely gloss over the invitation portion.

He takes the bag, peers inside, and gives a begrudging nod. “This is … thorough.” He holds up cheese. “Becca’s gonna lose it.”

I clear my throat, choosing to change the subject. “Beautiful piece of property you have here.”

“Um, yeah, thanks, it’s my wife’s. We are breaking ground on another cabin next week, thus the BBQ here before it becomes a small construction zone.”

I look around and see the attention to detail put into this place, the love, care, and hours it must have taken. The Adirondack chairs match the cabin trim, and the brush has been cleared for both beauty and safety.

Four chairs circle the fire pit. Phoenix sits with her back to me, her dark hair catching the firelight. Her friends aren’t hovering—they’re present. Giving her space without letting her feel alone.

Like I failed to do.

Phoenix tilts her head back and lets out a loud, genuine laugh. It’s one I know, one she rarely lets out. The laugh she uses when she has forgotten to be careful for a second.

I notice all these details, which is part of what got us here, got Phoenix where we are today.

Someone looks up, locking eyes with me. Mack, I guess, from the way Jared has been keeping her in his eyesight, as if she might disappear at any moment.

“Hello, can we help you?” presumably Mack asks. At the sound of this question, my girl turns around, a smile still on her beautiful face. Until she sees who it is and her mask returns. It is a face I worked hard to break through, but one I know I will be seeing for a long time.

Phoenix stands to face me, portable wine cup in one hand, the other on her hip.

“I was invited,” I respond, keeping my tone neutral.

Phoenix puts on a sardonic smile before answering, “Given the circumstances, I assumed you knew that invitation had been rescinded.”

“There was no formal withdrawal,” I say calmly.

Her mouth presses slightly. “You’re relying on technicalities now?”

“I’m relying on clarity.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, the only sign that I have rattled her.

“That’s new. I thought ambiguity was more your strength,” she says.

My mouth almost curves before I catch it. God, I missed this, missed her. The other three women rise almost instinctively, forming a loose line beside Phoenix.

Mack looks ready to tear into me. Becca isn’t far behind. Phoenix doesn’t even glance at them. She simply raises one hand between us. They stop immediately. The message is clear: This is a battle Phoenix is going to fight herself.

“Oh. You’re him.” She tries to catch Phoenix’s eye. Phoenix takes a drink instead. “I’m Mackenzie. This is Becca.” She nods toward the blonde woman who’d been with Sam earlier.

Becca eyes me up and down before crossing her arms. “Interesting, you look shorter than I imagined,” she deadpans, ignoring the snort from Phoenix. “And that’s Vanessa.” She points to the espresso-brown-haired one.

“Hello.” I smile my most charming smile. “It’s nice to meet you all. Phoenix has told me many wonderful things about you ladies.”

Vanessa side-eyes Phoenix before responding, “Has she now? How interesting. We have heard almost nothing about you.” She looks at me a moment longer than feels comfortable, as if she is reading something she wasn’t expecting to find, then looks away.

“Well, except you started the events that got her arrested,” Becca states, staring me down.

Arrested? My skin crawls at the thought of Phoenix being put in handcuffs, sitting behind bars. Phoenix has tracked every professional accomplishment she’s ever earned. She still keeps a photo of her first courtroom win. An arrest would have gutted her. Not to mention, it would have been completely unfounded and uncalled for. Something else is happening here.

I know what I did. I have known since I saw her in the hallway. What I didn’t know was how far the damage would spread after I handed Cassandra the match.

“What?” I take a step toward Phoenix on instinct, wanting to feel her in my arms, to assure myself she is okay. Before I can reach her, she visibly recoils.