Page 47 of My Heart To Heal

‘Did you have pets growing up?’

He shakes his head, and a flicker of a frown creases his brow.

‘Nah, my dad hates animals.’ I frown now — who the hell hates animals? ‘He used to set traps to catch rabbits and rats and anything else that dared wander into his yard, and I used to bust apart the traps so they wouldn’t work.’ He smiles widely, and I can’t help my grin.

‘Did hefind out?’

‘Yeah.’ He takes a sip of his wine and then changes the subject. ‘What about you? Why hairdressing?’

‘My mama was a hairdresser.’ I smile softly. ‘I don’t remember her. She died when I was two. I guess I just wanted a connection to her, turns out, I’m damn good at it.’

‘I’m so sorry, Miss.’ His hand stills on my ankle. ‘What happened?’

‘We were in a car wreck. Me, my parents, and my grandma — a drunk driver hit us. He died at the scene, Mama and Grandma too. Daddy died in the hospital, and I survived.’

‘Man, that’s…’ he shakes his head. ‘That’s fuckin’ heartbreaking, Missy.’

I shrug. ‘I don’t know any different, so it’s okay, you know.’ It’s not okay, but I’ve told myself that for so long that it sounds believable.

‘Would you cut my hair?’

My gaze meets his, and I notice the sparkle in his eyes. I read him as easily as the large print texts on my grandpa’s phone — he’s changing the subject — for me.

‘I would love to.’ I pull my feet from his lap and stand, walking over to the dining table and pulling out a chair. ‘Come on.’

‘I didn’t mean right now.’ He laughs, and I pull out my pack from the side table.

‘Come sit your butt down, handsome.’

He laughs and walks my way, then sits, his knees parted wide, his grey sweatpants teasing the shit out of me. I stand between his knees and run my fingers through his hair, making his eyes close.

‘Nick,’ I say softly, and his eyes open before his hands come to my hips. ‘I’m going to cut your hair, then you’re taking me to bed. Deal?’

He smirks, squeezing my hips before his tongue peeks out to wet his lips, and he speaks.

‘You drive a hard bargain, Marissa Morgan, but you got yourself adeal.’

The Worst Mom In The World

Nick

I’m on top ofthe world right now.

For the first time in so long, life feels good. I have my friends back in my life, and I have Missy and Jonah. They’re not mine, not in the way I’m starting to want them to be, but we have this little bubble, the three of us. We hang out, watch TV, play board games, cook, and eat together. I read bedtime stories to Jonah sometimes because he asks so fucking sweetly that I can’t say no.

It’s only been a few weeks, but it’s been the best few weeks of my life.

I wish Missy could admit there’s something more than casual sex between friends going on, but that’s not what she wants, and I’m not going to burst the bubble by pushing it.

‘See you tomorrow, Nick,’ Lynnie says, poking her head around the door to my office, and I turn to face her.

‘Night, Lynnie. See you tomorrow.’

‘I’m excited.’ She beams, and I laugh.

‘Yeah, it’s going to be great.’

‘Night, honey.’

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