Page 51 of What We Broke

I grab her forearm before she leaves. “Thank you.”

Nodding, she walks back inside and I follow. Zara points to an empty station with the usual mounted mirror and cabinet setup. “Have a seat here.”

I place my drink, wallet, and cell phone down in front of me and take my seat.

Five minutes later, Zara is back. She wraps the black cape around me and then places her hands on my shoulders and squeezes comfortingly.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

I chew on the corner of my mouth before answering, “I’m meeting Raine this weekend.”

Her body slumps imperceptibly, and I feel a sliver of guilt for making her worry.

“I know,” she says. “Jesse organized it with me.”

I know all that, and that isn’t really the reason I’m here. “I don’t know if he told you, but he’s been busting my balls to meet her ever since you and I met.”

“And you keep putting it off.”

“I don’t want to fuck this up,” I say truthfully. “It almost feels too good to be true, and I know nothing about kids.”

Zara reaches for a water spray and a comb from a nearby caddy and starts wetting and combing my hair. “Firstly,” she starts. “She’s ten and is easily unimpressed, so don’t take it personally. Secondly, you can’t fuck it up.”

“Anything is possible,” I say.

“Listen.” She switches out the spray for scissors and starts trimming my hair. “She’s exactly like Jesse. She looks like I pressed copy and paste on myself, but her whole personality is him.”

The thought of a mini Jesse makes me smile.

“She’s kind and funny and compassionate. Stubborn as hell or really determined, it’s yet to be decided,” she says with a soft chuckle. “She’ll love you. The exact same way he does.”

My eyes widen at her indirect admission. “What? Are you going to tell me he doesn’t?” she asks.

“He hasn’t said anything,” I argue weakly.

“I’m sure he doesn’t want to scare the fuck out of you,” she admits. “He knows it overwhelms you how fast this is all moving. But, honestly, who cares if it’s different or too soon? It just is, so enjoy it.”

“You’re so full of wisdom,” I say sarcastically. “Anything you would care to share with the class?”

“I’m just saying, the man asks you to marry him on the daily. He’s committed, and I don’t see that changing. Don’t overcomplicate something that’s staring you in the face.”

I know she’s right, and I’m doing my very best to lean into it. But it feels too good to be true. Good things happened when you worked hard, and I’d done nothing to earn Jesse Hunt or the family that came with him.

“And you’re okay with me meeting Raine?”

At this she rolls her eyes. “You know how Jesse and I are when it comes to Raine. Every stone is turned before we agree on something.”

“So, I’m something you both agree on?” I say with a smile, hoping for levity.

She raises a hand. “No, I will not indulge in your need for praise.”

I laugh. “I am not that bad.”

“You’re a proper slut for it.”

“I am not.”

“I’ve seen your face when Jesse compliments you.”

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