Page 72 of Hold Still

He doesn’t say anything else. He doesn’t have to. Scrambling to come up with a description that will satisfy him enough not to pursue this line of questioning, I pick up the knitting needle and reply, “I dated Matt. Years ago. Mom confused you with him. She wasn’t in her right mind tonight.” A tear leaks from my eye, which I swipe away.

In that instant, Ozzy appears at my side and pulls me into his embrace. I melt into him, rejecting my prior anger and accepting his comfort. Ignoring the letter and all it means, my focus returns to Mom. She’s deteriorating and I don’t have the funds to hire a nurse to stay with her twenty-four hours a day. If I make it to—and maybe even win—the consortium’s national competition, I’ll be able to hire a second shift. But, for right now, I’m stuck.

He rubs my back, which I find comforting. “I knew you were keeping something from me. I wish you had told me sooner.”

I shrug into his embrace, not trusting my voice.

He leans back. “Anything else you want to share?”

I shake my head. I certainly have nothing else I want to come to light.Ever.

He kisses my forehead, then puts his hand on the back of my head, pushing it into his body. I inhale his comforting musky scent. “You’re so strong,” his baritone whispers through my ears.

“Hardly. I’m barely keeping it together.” I laugh, which ends with a hiccup.

“Do you have any help at all with your mom?”

I nod. Since my head is against his pecs, my forehead bounces off his shoulder. “I sold my condo so I’m able to have a nurse here one shift a day.”

“Oh, McKenna.”

The two-word sentence brings tears down my cheeks. “I did what I had to do.” What I vowed.

He rears back and wipes my cheeks with his thumbs. “You’re special. Not many people would give up their independence to take care of a parent.”

Sniffling, I can’t force any more words out of my lips. I don’t have to, as his cover mine in a soft caress. Sharing our breaths, I allow him to comfort me. Soothe my frustration and sadness over how things are turning out.

“Can I stay?”

I’m shaking my head before my brain registers his words. “I don’t know who Mom will wake up to be tomorrow. It’s best if you’re not here in the morning.”

“She’s the reason why you never stay at my place? Why you’ve skipped my concerts.”

“Yes.”

He kisses my forehead again. “We’ll figure this out.”

I close my eyes against the tender gesture. He gathers to stand up, but I need him too much to let him go. I pull him back down and wrap my arms around his shoulders. His knees hit the floor as my mouth seeks his. I kiss him with my whole heart, pouring my gratitude for his words and happiness at being with him into the kiss. He returns my passionate kiss with his own.

When we separate, I remember what happened at the Jade—what feels like years ago. I suck in my breath. “Oh my God.Luis.”

His eyes slam shut. “Don’t worry about him. You have enough on your plate. I’ll handle it.” He gives me a half-grin. “He’s my responsibility.” He kisses my nose. “And so are you.”

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