Page 60 of Totally Off Limits

“By the way,” he whispered, “Did you even notice?”

“Notice what?”

“I quit smoking.”

“Oh.” No, she hadn’t noticed. What a selfish asshole she was. But it should have been so evident from the way he smelled and tasted. What was wrong with her? “I’m glad you did. You’ll feel better for it.”

“Maybe,” he said, his expression looking unconvinced.

“Uh…have a good night, Mickey.”

“You, too.”

As she watched him walk away, almost as if she were viewing a movie, she felt like a part of herself was dying.

The first tear dropped before his family friendly car was out of sight.

But it was not the last of the evening. Not by a long shot. Because she had to convince herself that this had to be the end.

CHAPTER21

“Your blood pressure’s fine, Grandma,” Sierra said, removing the earpieces of the stethoscope to let it hang from her neck. “Tell me what was going on.”

“I just felt a little lightheaded this morning, so your mother thought I should have you check on me while you were here.”

“You seem healthy. Are you feeling okay otherwise?”

“Fit as a fiddle. What about you?”

“I’m fine, Grandma.” Sierra removed the blood pressure cuff from her grandmother’s wrinkled arm before dropping it and the stethoscope into her bag. “But when’s your next doctor appointment?”

“I have no idea. Your mother has it written down.”

“Have you had any other dizzy spells?”

“No. I’mfine. But I’m worried aboutyou.”

Sierra chuckled, sitting on the sofa next to her grandmother. “Why?”

“Your eyes tell me you’re more worried than usual.”

Thanusual? “I’m okay.”

“Your eyes say otherwise. Tell me what’s going on.”

How did Grandma always know even when no one else had a clue? Maybe Sierra wasn’t as good an actress as she’d thought. “I feel like…I love someone I shouldn’t.”

“Oh, my. Who says you shouldn’t love them?” Lowering her voice, she leaned forward. “Are you falling in love with a girl?”

Laughing, Sierra said, “No, that’s not what I meant.”

“It would be all right if you did. I know your parents seem uptight, but I promise they would get over it.”

“That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

“I think…I’m falling in love with a man mom and dad would never approve of.”

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