Chapter 500

"It's raining outside. Can't you talk here?" Lindey muttered, but one look from Matthew shut her up.

"Mom, didn't you say you were going to make gnocchi? Let me help," Wayne finally spoke up, breaking the tension.

I didn't respond, just got up and followed Jace to the door, where he was waiting with an umbrella.

Honestly, if he wanted privacy, there were a dozen rooms in the house. No real reason to head out into a downpour. But clearly, he had his reasons, so I didn't ask.

"You cold? Need a jacket?" he offered, sounding unexpectedly thoughtful.

I couldn't deny that he'd been more considerate since our breakup. But it was too late for that.

"No, I'm good." I took the umbrella from him and stepped into the rain.

Jace fell into step beside me, quiet for a beat. "Remember the last time we walked together in the rain like this?"

Of course I remembered. It was about a year ago, when Seavora had been half-flooded from days of nonstop rain. Some streets were so submerged they were bas