Page 59 of Edge of Heaven

“Good things are happening,” I say. “And maybe you’ll be able to get away from Callum sooner than you thought. Things may be looking up.”

“I hope so.” Her voice is suddenly a little subdued.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, always in tune with her changes in mood.

“Oh, nothing new. I had a fight with my mom earlier and then when I told Toby I was going to be gone for two days, because it turns out tomorrow is the rehearsal and then the next day is the fashion show—he was really upset. And then my mom turned it around and made it sound like I’m putting my career before spending time with Toby.”

“Does she have any idea what you’re going through with Callum?” I demand incredulously.

“She knows, but I think she’s minimizing it in her head because she doesn’t want to think about it or acknowledge it.”

“Why the hell not?”

She sighs. “She’s having second thoughts of turning over custody to me.”

“Why?”

“She says I make bad choices. Like I should never be forgiven for getting pregnant at sixteen.”

“Fuck. I’m sorry, honey.”

“It’s all right. I just wish one damn thing in my life was easy.”

“There is,” I say gently. “Me. I’m the easiest thing you’re ever going to have. Whatever you need from me, all you have to do is ask.”

“You know that saying about how love is wasted on the young?”

I chuckle. “Yeah.”

“That’s us. Too stupid to know what we had at twenty and twenty-two.”

“But look at us making up for lost time at twenty-four and twenty-six.”

“I’ll be twenty-five later this year.”

“And I’ll be twenty-seven. We’re growing up. Finding our way back to each other, even if it’s taking longer than we wanted.”

“How do you always know the right thing to say?”

“I guess because this thing between us is real, you know?” I pause. “So, you want to hear the song I’m writing?”

“Sure.”

I put her on speaker and then pick up the acoustic guitar I borrowed from Sam. “Okay, it’s rough and not finished, but here goes…”

She’s got the lips, baby grinds and dips

But all I see is the sway of her hips.

She’s not mine, but my baby’s so fine

And I’m ready to sign that dotted line.

Let me touch you,baby, let me hear you sigh

Let me touch you, pretty girl, I’ll never make you cry.

Let me touch you, baby, take you for a ride

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