Page 67 of Shattered

My frown deepens. “I won’t be able to fall asleep until I know you’re home.”

A soft look crosses her face, and she slides her hands from my chest to around my back, holding me close for another hug. I think I could get used to these. Bringing a hand up, I stroke her hair softly. Oddly, it feels natural to touch her like this.

I do think things have moved fast between us, but history is impossible to replace, and although I didn’t know she was the one I was falling for back then, she’s now fallen into that position effortlessly.

...

Sienna: Okay. I have to tell you, I actually got your address from the files at work. I’m sorry I lied about it.

Sienna: Neilix?

Neilix: Sorry, I just saw someone across the street with binoculars and I was just checking to see if it was you.

Sienna: Ha ha, very funny.

Neilix: I’m glad you came to find me.

Sienna: Me, too.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Sienna

Stretching out in bed, I release a happy sigh. I never knew I could feel this content, this peaceful. For the past few years, I thought I was okay and reasonably happy. But now I know something was always missing, a key element that kept me from reaching this state.

Maybe it’s the combination of forgiveness mixed with Neilix being back in my life.

Maybe it’s having something to smile about each morning.

Or maybe it’s just him.

I reach for my phone under my pillow, which has become a habit once again, and immediately, I’m grinning from ear to ear.

Neilix: Good morning :) Would you want to join me and Adi for a picnic today?

My smile widens while my heart flutters.

Me: I would absolutely love to! When and where?

Neilix: Millennium Park around noon. But I was thinking you could come to mine first and we go from here.

Me: Okay. I’ll aim to be there by eleven-thirty.

Neilix: Great :)

While I’m still lying here, I decide to send him a picture of me in bed, with the blanket pulled up to my chin and crazy hair surrounding my head.

Neilix: You couldn’t be more beautiful.

The next message he sends is a bowl of Lucky Charms and nothing else, making me giggle before dropping my phone to the bed beside me.

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Saturday than with Neilix and Adi. And the perfectly clear sky through my window seems to approve of our outing.

I get up and get dressed, choosing my strapless yellow sundress and white sandals for the day.

Sarah has already left to visit her parents, so I spend the hour before I leave getting a few things together to take with me and tidying up some of the mess that accumulated over the work week.

Around eleven-thirty, I walk up to Neilix’s door, my stomach swishing with nerves and excitement. I’ve seen him twice since the night we almost had sex. As much as I was ready to go ahead with it that night, I understood why he suggested waiting.

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