Page 41 of Totally Off Limits

“Would you prefer I show up naked?”

“That’s cute. Spoken like a politician. Are you planning to run for office anytime soon?”

Sierra merely shrugged in his arms, realizing that anything she said would only make things worse. As it was, it seemed that he could see inside her soul, reading her better than she even knew herself.

As the silence fell on them like a heavy blanket, Mickey touched his lips to the back of her head. “You can tell me to fuck off if you want…but I’m going to tell you what it looks like from here. You had to attend something for your family tonight—kind of like the wedding. Whatever your parents want, you do it, even though it feels like it’s killing you. And that’s what happened tonight. You were the dutiful daughter—but there’s still some part of you that wants to rebel…that hates doing whatever they ask. So tonight you ran to me after it was over. I just wonder who you run to when I’m not here.”

“It’s not like that, Mickey.”

“Then tell me what itis.”

But she didn’t have an answer. Still, she turned in his arms and stroked the hair on his chin. “I don’t run to some random guy when you’re not here.”

“So you just suffer.”

“I guess.”

“Then it’s convenient that I’m here.” When Sierra started to protest again, he pressed his finger to his lips. “It’s okay. I don’t mind being your boy toy while I’m here—because, even if I’m not a real friend, Idocare about you.” He acted like he was going to say something else but instead ground his teeth together.

“It’s not like that.”

Pressing his lips together, Mickey nestled her head against his chest, indicating that he wasn’t going to talk about it anymore. “Let’s just rest here until you’re ready to run away again.”

He wasn’t wrong. Their first night of indiscretion, the spark that had created their daughter, had ended with Sierra bolting from his apartment above a bar on Main Street—and she would have been perfectly content pretending it hadn’t happened had she not had a daily reminder.

And that child was perfect, more than Sierra could have ever dreamed.

It killed her that Mickey was right, that somehow he knew.

He knew her far better than she knew herself.

CHAPTER15

Sunday afternoon dinners with the Haydens were rarely fun. Maybe when Sierra had been younger, but they hadn’t been enjoyable at least since she’d had Mia, and probably even before.

Butthisparticular occasion topped them all—and, for once, the strife had nothing to do with Sierra. After her mother finished detailing the plans to have a pool installed in the expanse behind the house, she moved on. Her attack started with the usual bullshit, because Rebecca wanted to know all about the date with Austin and when the two planned to see each other again.

Fortunately, Sierra had a great answer. “As a matter of fact, we’re planning to meet again.”

Faith asked, “When?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Hmm. Not convinced.”

“Actually,” Rebecca said with a look that made Faith look down at her plate, “planning to meet is half the battle. I’ll take that as a great sign.”

If you say so, mother.But Sierra merely smiled as if to confirm. The truth was she was keeping the door to Austin open because she knew her family would want that. Hermotherwould want that. And Austin was a genuinely nice guy. They were friends—and friends enjoyed each other’s company.

Honestly, Sierra didn’t have close friends anymore, so she’d be proud to call Austin one. And thinking about their friendship would provide a welcome distraction from her thoughts about Mickey and their encounter the night before.

Mia also helped. The strong hug from her daughter when she’d arrived that morning had been a great reminder of what really mattered in Sierra’s life.

And now, having made her mother somewhat happy, she tried to relax. But, of course, her mother wouldn’t let that happen. “Sierra, you still have next Saturday open?” It was said like a question but Sierra knew it was not.

She remembered the date. Layne’s graduation. “Of course, mother.”

“In case he didn’t mention it on your date, we’ve invited Austin.”

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