Page 82 of Free to Fall

Okay, yes. We have a date to go to the charity ball.

No, Laura isn’t the she-bitch who birthed Bailey. Thank God. But still. She’s entrusted with my daughter’s well-being. Part of me wants to howl in agony over the moment that was interrupted, but that’s the part that takes the backseat to the father.

Because after Ashleigh, no other woman should ever come first in my heart.

Still, Keene’s words about his niece having a gift flit through my mind. It made me realize despite whatever trauma led Laura into our lives, we’ll never be the same people after she returns to her regular job.

I wonder if her regular patients feel the same way, is my last thought before I drift off to sleep.

Chapter

Forty-Three

“You like him—Liam. And not in a ‘he’s a good dad’ kind of way,” Kalie concludes after I’ve caught her up on everything while we’re getting a mani/pedi at Shimmer in preparation for the ball. Unfortunately, Grace had to bail on the pampering due to another patient losing a body part to their pet. “It’s a nose, guys. Sorry. This is going to take a while since I have to make sure they can attend the ball with some dignity.”

I scowl at Kalie. “How do you deduce that from the fact I just spent the last thirty minutes talking about his daughter?”

Smugly she points at the bottle of polish being applied to my toes. “Your normal summer color is You Got Nata On Me. Now you’re wearing Mod About You.”

Damn it. I didn’t even realize I’d subconsciously made a different selection. Part of me wants to ask the esthetician to change the color but I don’t. There’s just something a little brighter about the color that appeals to me. I inform her loftily, “It has nothing to do with Liam.”

She singsongs, “Of course not. So you won’t mind if I drop by and ask him out.”

Quickly, I snarl, “Don’t you dare.” Then, to cover my reaction, which has Kalie’s eyes widening, I remind her, “You’re the one who said you’re not certain you want to be tied down.”

Her laugh is practically a purr. “Depends on the man and the manner of which I’d be tied.”

Knowing I’ve fallen into her trap, I resort to my best argument. I stick my tongue out at her, which just sets Kalie hooting.

“Just admit it, Laura. You like him.”

I think about the dream last night, more vivid than any other, and I shudder. I more than like him if my subconscious is to be believed. Still, putting that kind of ammunition into Kalie’s hands is dangerous. I decide distraction is the better course of action. “I do.”

Her face immediately takes on a serious mien. “Now what?”

“Now, I go get my dress fit and figure out how to knock Liam Payne’s socks off.”

“I want to help.”

“Of course.” After all, despite her protests, Kalie’s inherited the need to meddle from our Uncle Phil. Keeping her out of any scheme is impossible.

After we left Shimmer and drove over to the mansion that houses Amaryllis Events and Company, we both sit in my car for a few minutes admiring the business our parents built up with dedication, hard work, and an eye to the fact they never wanted to return to the place they’d come from.

I run my thumbs along the insides of my pinkies even as Kalie rubs her instep against her calf together—the place where her tattoo lies. I muse, “How much do you think they’re going to go overboard during this dress fitting?”

“On a scale of one to ten?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Nine hundred and sixty-seven,” Kalie deadpans.

I burst out laughing, shocking us both.

Silence falls in between us until Kalie reaches for my hand. Squeezing it hard, she says, “I just want to say this before we go inside.”

“What?”

“I don’t care if it means a banging affair with Liam Payne, driving to the moon, or playing dress up with a child. I will do whatever it takes so you laugh the way you used to.” Before I can reply, Kalie slips out of the vehicle.

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