Page 74 of My Heart To Heal

Nick:If you wake up and need me to come back, call me. I needed to get some air and let you get some rest x

I blow out a breath of relief. He didn’t shut me out again.

I need him. I never realized how much until last night. He calms me, and I meant it when I said he makes me feel safe. He makes me feel like the whole world could be against me, but he’d protect me from it.

I click out of his message and freeze.

Bax:I meant it when I said I’m taking my son. You or your pretty boy try and stop me next time, and you’ll be fuckin sorry!You better be ready, Marissa.

No. Not today, Satan. I put down my cell with trembling hands and blow out a breath. He is not getting my son. When he comes back here, I’ll be ready. I need to talk to Bree, but right now, I need to eat waffles with my baby.

‘You okay, Miss, whateverhappened yesterday looked kind of intense.’

Kacey, Emma, and Iare sitting in the salon before opening, drinking the coffees that Emma got us from the diner.

‘Um, that was Jonah’s dad, Bax. Things are,’ I think of a word, ‘strained between us.’

Emma nods, clearly unsure what to say.

‘Do we let him in if he shows up again, or is he not welcome?’ Kacey asks, squaring her shoulders like she’s ready to go to war for me, and I smile.

‘Just let me know he’s here if I don’t already know. I’ll do the rest.’

‘We got you, honey.’

I glance up at the clock and finish my coffee. ‘Let’s get to work, ladies.’

It was a good day. It was what I needed: good music, some fantastic haircuts, lots of laughs. As we get ready to close up for the day, Emma cleaning up around us and Kacey finishing up curling Bree’s deputy, Jenna Luckman’s hair after doing an amazing rose gold balayage, I feel like the tension of the morning has eased. I know I have a mountain to climb, but not tonight.

I head into the office and pick up my cell to send a text.

Me:Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to eat takeout with us tonight? Jonah has missed you so much x

Almost immediately, the dots of a reply dance on the screen, and I fight my smile.

Nick:I’m just about to go into an emergency surgery. It should be about an hour and then I can get cleaned up — that work?

Me:Absolutely, I’ll go get Jonah from Doug’s and meet you at my place x

I put my phone back into my purse and tie up all my end-of-day tasks in the office. Emma sticks her head around the door to say goodnight and tell me Kacey is almost done, and I start to get ready to leave.

The need to pee is overwhelming so I head to the bathroom and as I come back out, I hear Kacey’s raised voice.

‘She’s busy right now. You can wait outside.’

‘I’ll wait right fuckin’ here.’

No. My steps falter, and I want to run until I hear Jenna, ‘Now wait just a damn minute. Who the hell are you talking to with that tone?’ and I know I have to step in.

‘Bax,’ I call out as I find him turning toward Jennawith fire in his eyes. ‘Stop, please. Can we talk outside?’

Jenna stands from her chair, her brand new hair looking as badass as I now realize she is, as she prepares to take on this man for cursing in my shop.

‘Where’s my son?’

‘Outside, please.’

The tremble in my voice is unmistakable and unavoidable. My heart is trying to beat out of my chest, sending vibrations all over my body, so my voice doesn’t stand a chance of staying steady.

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