Page 124 of Perfect Harmony

“It was…” she winced but made herself sayit, “it was just sex, Kira. Nothing more. And now it’s done. It has nothing todo with your reaction.”

“That’s bullshit,” Kira said. “Don’t lieto me, Gracie.”

“I’m not lying. It really was just sex.Yeah, we didn’t want you to find out and you finding out maybe pushed the enddate up a bit, but Gideon never wanted an actual relationship with me. He onlywanted sex.”

“Oh, I’m gonna kill him.” Kira stood andstomped back and forth on the porch, her tiny fists swinging. “I love him, butI’m gonna kill him.”

“Stop, honey,” Grace said. “He was upfrontwith me about it and I agreed to it.”

“Why?” Kira said. “If it isn’t because ofme then what’s stopping you from having a relationship?”

“Gideon thinks that everyone he loves willdie, that he’s some kind of damn curse, and me…” she shook her head, “I’m asfucked up as he is, thanks to my parents. He said that I’m just waiting forhim to screw up, for him to act like I don’t matter the same way my parents do,and he’s right. I am. I love your brother. I’ve been in love with him sinceI was sixteen years old, but I can’t convince myself that I’m worthy of his love.I agreed that we wouldn’t have a relationship because deep down inside, I don’tthink I’m worth it. Why should someone as amazing as Gideon, be with someonelike me? My own parents don’t believe I’m worth loving, why should anyoneelse?”

“Oh, honey.” Kira stood in front of herand cupped her face. “You are amazing. You are strong and kind and brave, andyou literally saved my life after Mom and Dad died. There is no one in my lifewho has my back like you do.”

She squeezed Grace’s face. “Grace LouellaLarken, you deserve to be loved. Don’t let yourself or anyone else convinceyou that you don’t.”

Kira kissed Grace’s forehead before wipingaway the tears on her cheeks. “Now, stop crying and let’s figure out how toconvince my bonehead of a brother that one – you two are soulmates and two – heneeds serious therapy. You both do.”

Grace drew in a shuddering breath. “You’reright. I need therapy and I promise I’m going to talk to someone, but as foryour brother – it’s over, Kira. We both have too much baggage and we’ll justend up hurting each other. Hell, we already have.”

“Gracie -”

“Please don’t.” Hot tears were runningdown her cheeks and Grace wiped them away angrily. “I love you and I know youmean well, but please don’t. Okay?”

“Okay,” Kira said.

Kira sat down in the rocking chair andafter a few minutes of silence, Grace said, “I called Harper on the drive overhere and asked her if I could come stay with her and Addie for the weekend. Ididn’t give her any details, at least not yet, but she said I was welcome to staywith her. I need a few days away, you know? A few days where I don’t have toworry about running into Gideon… I need some time.”

“I get it,” Kira said. “I love you,Gracie.”

“I love you too, Kira.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Easy, Tank. I know you’re glad to be homebut slow down.” Gideon walked up the driveway with Tank on a leash. Despitethe cone around his head, the big dog’s tail waved happily when he saw Preacherstanding by the front door.

Preacher opened the door wide as Tankstopped and stared up at him. He swung his head, scraping the cone across Preacher’sflat abdomen. Preacher winced and petted his big head. “Yeah, yeah, I’m happyto see you too. Watch the cone, fuzzball.”

“In the house, Tank,” Gideon said.

Tank tried to step inside, snorting whenthe cone banged against the side of the doorway. Gideon patted his side. “Tryagain.”

He made it through on the second try, histail wagging even harder when Gideon told him he was a good boy. His tail whackedPreacher in the crotch, and the tattoo artist flinched and grabbed at himself.“Christ, I’m pretty sure I’m never having kids thanks to your dog.”

He followed Gideon and Tank into the house,adjusting his crotch as Gideon led Tank to his bed in the living room. “Bed, Tank.”

Tank laid down gingerly and Gideon unclippedthe leash. “Stay.”

He crouched and petted Tank’s head and scratchedaround the cone. “You’re a good boy. Have a sleep.”

He walked to the kitchen and grabbed twobeers from the fridge, opening them both and handing one to Preacher. They satat the table and Gideon took a large swallow of beer. “You don’t have to hang outwith me, Preacher. I’m sure you have something better to do on a Friday nightthen sit with me and my dog.”

Preacher drank some beer before eyeinghim. “You talk to Grace yet?”

“No. It’s over between us. I told youthat yesterday.”

“Yeah, I know, but I thought maybe you’dcome to your senses today.”

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