Kai’s question hung between us.
I kept my eyes on the crowd and forced my voice steady. “I’m just looking for my mom.”
He studied me for a second, then gave a short nod. “Alright. Cake’s starting. Come on.”
He guided me toward the front with a light hand on my back. I let him. The room was still full, but people had started shifting closer to the table where the cake sat. I stayed beside him and kept my gaze moving, careful not to turn my head too obviously. Julian still wasn’t anywhere I could see.
The cake was cut. Gifts were handed over. Willa smiled and thanked people. I clapped when everyone else did and felt the weight of the vibrator the entire time. Kai stayed close. Every few minutes I caught him glancing at me like he was checking where my attention had gone. I made myself lo
