Page 99 of Forever and Other Lies

Jayna stared at the hand her mother held out. “I really need you, Mom. I’m so frightened. I’m afraid to close my eyes, I’m afraid to leave the house. I’m afraid to be alone.”

Catherine moved closer and pulled Jayna in for a deep hug. It was the kind of hug that she had craved when she was a young girl waking from a nightmare. Maybe it wasn’t too late.

Chapter 50

Maybe it wasn’t too late to win Jayna back. Derek had no idea how he would accomplish it, though. He wasn’t a grand gesture kind of guy like Nick, who’d planned the surprise wedding for Piper. Nor was he a spill-his-guts, wear-his-heart-on-his-sleeve type like his twin. He never gushed poetic. In fact, he didn’t possess a single romantic bone in his body.

But Jayna wasn’t the sweep-her-off-her-feet kind of girl. Flowers and romantic gestures would be wasted on her.

So, how did a jaded, unromantic guy woo an equally jaded, unromantic soul like Jayna? For starters, he shouldn’t use the word ‘woo’. Jayna would call him out on that word choice.

Somehow, he ended up in Leighton’s store. Was he looking for inspiration, motivation, or advice? Possibly all three. He wasn’t sure. But he was relieved that his relationship with Leighton was comfortable enough to stroll into her store and ask for her help.

Scratching his head, he stood in front of the shampoo display. There were eight different varieties on the shelf. He unscrewed the lid of each one, inhaling. Bottle number five made him smile. Coconut, vanilla, pineapple. It smelled like a tropical beach vacation where the waves crashed in and the Piña Coladas flowed. Sunshine and fun. It reminded him of Jayna. He gathered up all twelve bottles of Summer Beach Vacay off the shelf.

Leighton didn’t lift an eyebrow as he set them on the checkout counter. She simply rang up the sale, giving him the family discount.

“That’s a lot of shampoo. Never pictured you as the Summer Beach Vacay shampoo type.”

“It isn’t for me.”

Now she did quirk a brow. “Really?”

He side-eyed her. “It’s for Jayna.”

“Ah.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m buying shampoo for Jayna?”

“No.”

Leighton was making it very difficult to ask for her advice. “Fine. I’ll tell you why.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“It’s pretty good!”

She chuckled. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why are you buying a dozen bottles of shampoo for Jayna?”

“Because she’s not the dozen roses type.”

Leighton shook her head. “What? Have you been roof drinking again?”

“No!” Damn, she was making this difficult. “I’m purchasing a dozen bottles of the same shampoo because Jayna is indecisive. She never uses the same shampoo scent, and it drives me crazy. She needs to commit to a scent and stick with it.”

Leighton nodded. “Gift bag or basket? Your choice.”

His brow furrowed. “What I want is advice.” Seriously, was she clueless? “What should I do?”

“A basket.”

He groaned. “I don’t want advice on paper or plastic. I need advice about Jayna.”

Leighton placed both her hands on the counter. “About Jayna’s indecisiveness?”

“Leighton! It’s about getting Jayna to agree to commit to me.”

Leighton’s mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”

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