Page 14 of All My Heart

“What do you want to do?” I asked her.

Luna sighed, and then said, “I've thought about flipping a house on my own. But it's scary. I haven't been trained, and I'm worried I'll screw something up and fail.”

“You think your family wouldn't support you?” I couldn't imagine not helping my siblings if they asked for it. Not that they did anymore.

“They'd tell me it was a reckless decision. That I shouldn't have taken on such a big project without a plan.”

“Thinking you can rely on your construction family to help with procuring materials and advice is too much?”

“They're busy with real jobs. They'd see my house flipping as a small project.”

“Ah. I see.” I hoped they didn't talk to her that way. Maybe she was exaggerating. But the pain on her face wasn't fake.

“You're stuck where you are. You have the reputation and reach of your family. You can't break free.”

“That's right.”

“So you escaped to Maryland, and you're renting a cabin in the woods.”

Her nose scrunched. “I don't have the skills to flip something. It was just a dream.”

I had a feeling dating that guy had taken some of her confidence. She didn't think she could do it, which was the only factor that mattered in something like this. “If you want to do it, you will.”

Luna laughed. “Yeah, it doesn't work like that. I'd have to have the money to buy the place and to fund the renovation.”

“You could get a partner, or talk to someone who's done it before and can tell you what to expect. My point is you'll find a way if you want to do it.”

Her tongue darted out to lick her lips. “Maybe.”

We fell silent for a while. There was nothing but the sound of our feet hitting the ground and the occasional rustle of an animal in a nearby bush.

When the cabins came into view, Luna started toward her place. I snagged her hand. “I want to take a look at that knee.” When she didn't answer right away, I said, “I won't hurt you.”

“Yeah, okay.”

I led her up the porch, pausing to help her to go up the steps, then pushed open the door. I hadn't bothered to lock it for my run, thinking no one was here.

Inside, I directed her to the couch I was embarrassed of. Then I grabbed my first aid kit, ice, and a hand towel. “Put your leg up.” I squatted down and didn't wait for her to comply. I lifted her leg until her foot was propped on the coffee table. I set the ice aside while I manipulated her leg this way and that. “It's probably bruised.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “That's what I said.”

I raised a brow. “Do you have any medical training?”

Luna sighed, her eyes soft on mine. “No.”

“Then you could listen to my opinion.”

Her lips pursed. “Maybe.”

She was a tough one. She made me work for every inch she gave me, and I had a feeling I'd enjoy the process of getting all the way in. The question was— Did I want to? I set the ice on her knee. “You want eggs?”

Luna's contemplative gaze rested on me. “I could eat.”

I stood. “I'll cook us up some eggs.”

She licked her lips. “You don't have to do that for me.”

“It's the least I can do after walking in on you last night and then bumping into you today.”

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