Page 73 of Pinch of Love

Cash ran his fingers through my hair and rubbed my shoulder. “Don’t worry about how you’re viewed. I’m sure you experienced things I can’t even fathom.”

Without warning, tears began to stream down my face. Cash pulled me into his chest and rubbed the back of my head as the tears became fiercer and the sorrow dug deeper.

I was sorrowful that my parents missed out on experiencing amazing daughters.

I was hurt that my mom never remembered our birthdays.

I grieved for the parents I never had.

I broke for the pain my parents had created for themselves and what I had experienced my entire life.

The hollowness and the search for something more that they never found.

They’d always wanted it to be the next hit.

The sobs turned to softer cries as Cash gently rubbed my back.

The release felt good, needed.

But it didn’t conjure a different relationship with my mom.

The tears only solidified the sadness I felt over the life she’d missed out on.

I slowly pulled away from Cash and wiped my face.

“Sorry. You can evict me at any time.”

He laughed, sweeping my hair over my shoulder. “Why would I do that? You already prepaid.”

I chuckled and rested my head on his chest again. “If I weren’t so exhausted, I’d be embarrassed.”

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Maya. You’re an incredible woman in spite of the hardships you faced growing up.”

I let out a sigh and straightened.

His gaze stayed on mine.

“Thank you for not judging me.”

“You’ve already proven to me that you’re an amazing woman, Maya.”

I sniffled and looked at his chest. “I got barbeque sauce on your shirt.”

He looked down and smiled. “Why, yes, you did.”

“I should tell my sister in person. I hate to ask, but could you drive me to her house?”

“Absolutely.” He sprang up and gathered the takeout containers. “We can come back and eat if we want to.”

“I feel so bad. You stopped at this awesome BBQ spot and then—”

“Maya, seriously. We need to tell your sister, and this food is no big deal. It reheats great.”

“I don’t know how I’d survive this summer if I didn’t run into you,” I said, surprising myself.

Cash smiled and nodded. “I feel the same.”

I chuckled. “You mean about my surviving?”

---