Page 106 of This Broken Heart

Parker holds my gaze, not flinching this time. “Like you’re head over heels.”

Guilt trickles down my shoulders, settling in my stomach like poison.

“Well, sounds like you ladies have me all figured out.” I climb to my feet. “Why don’t you just propose to her while you’re at it? Send me an invitation when you’ve got it all figured out.”

I turn away, unable to look at them anymore.

I don’t want them to see what broken down looks like.

It’s like a cog is stuck in my brain. My thoughts stutter and fail to form. My feet automatically carry me to my room, and I stop in my tracks. Erin is curled up around Maven. Trace has his feet propped up on her hip and Maven has a handful of Erin’s curls in her hand. It’s like they’re claiming her, even in their sleep.

I can feel my heart shattering, reforming, only to break again.

I loved Ana. We grew up together. That history bound us in a way that you just can’t replicate.

But Erin is making me realize that love comes in all kinds of forms. I did love Ana, but in the way you love your favorite song. Or the way my grandma’s house smelled on Christmas morning.

Erin, though…

She’s got this laugh that sparkles.

When she’s embarrassed, I want to wrap that blush around my shoulders.

She is a blaze that melts my heart and builds it back up again.

I didn’t know what love was. What it could be.

And it’s breaking my heart.

71.

Erin

Maven stirs against me, and my eyes crack open.

It takes a few seconds to orientate myself.

Sunlight pours against the far wall in bright bars.

I’m at Lisa and Keith’s Florida home.

That’s Maven nestled against my chest. Trace’s feet woven through my calves.

And those are Josh’s arms wrapped around my middle. One arm rests behind my head, curling around Maven’s back.

His other hand rests on my hip. “Rise and shine.” He murmurs against my neck.

“I’m sorry—Maven was fussy when I came in. I must have fallen asleep with her.”

“I like having you here.”

His hand slips over my hip, flattening against my tummy.

I twist my head back, trying to look at his expression. He lifts himself up high enough to give me a soft kiss before settling into the pillow, tugging me closer.

His entire body is relaxed against mine, languid and content.

I, however, am a mess of tangled, racing thoughts. They sprint ahead, tripping over each other, only to double back.

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