Page 123 of Perfect Harmony

“Yeah, I do.” Kira stared at the street infront of them. “I said terrible things to you and Gideon, and I regret it. Iwas… surprised and angry and I said some stupid things that I didn’t mean.”

“I know,” Grace said. “I’m sorry I didn’ttell you how I really felt about Gideon, but I was worried that…”

“That I would react like a spoiled brat?”Kira huffed out a laugh. “I certainly fulfilled that prophecy, didn’t I?”

“You were taken off guard and -”

“Don’t,” Kira said. “Don’t make excusesfor my behaviour. I’m not. I was a total bitch and I’m sorry and I love you.”

“I love you too, Kira.” Grace took the tissueKira handed to her and wiped at her streaming eyes.

“Seeing you cry is awful,” Kira said with aheavy sigh. “You never cry and now I’m making you cry and I’m the worstfucking friend in the world.”

“You’re not, honey.”

“Just to be clear,” Kira shifted in her chairuntil she was facing Grace, “I don’t think what you’re doing is wrong. I wassurprised because I honestly believed you thought of each other like siblings,but I reacted with anger because I was hurt that you guys kept your feelings foreach other a secret from me.”

“So, why aren’t you still angry?” Gracesaid. “What changed?”

Kira pushed on the porch with her toe, settingher rocking chair in motion. “I got home last night, and I was super pissed.I told Connor what happened, and he told me that he knew about your crush on Gideon.Which,” she laughed, “just made me pissier. But I stormed around for a bit andranted and raved and when I was done, Connor asked me to do one thing for him.”

“What was that?”

“He asked me to think back on the last coupleof weeks. To specifically focus on you and Gideon and how you acted andbehaved.”

Grace stared at their clasped hands as Kirasaid, “I did what he asked, and do you know what I realized?”

Grace shook her head, her throat tight and herstomach so tense her ab muscles were aching.

“You were happy,” Kira said. “Gideon washappy. Both of you were more content and relaxed then I’d seen you in… forever.You were happy because you were together.”

She squeezed Grace’s hand. “Look at me,honey.”

When Grace raised her head, Kira smiled ather. “You make each other happy and that’s all I care about. You love him andhe loves you and you should be together. I’m glad you’re together. I meanthat.”

“Thanks, Kira. Have you talked to Gideon?”

“No. He’s not returning my texts or my calls.He’s avoiding me and I don’t blame him. I was awful to you guys last night. Icalled the clinic and they said Tank was doing much better. They wouldn’t giveme any details, just that he was better.”

“He is. His heart rate is back to normaland he’s doing well after the surgery. They said he’ll probably go hometomorrow night. I stopped at the clinic before I came here and sat with him fora while.”

“Thank God,” Kira said. “I’m going to go overin a bit and see him. Why aren’t you at work?”

“Connor gave me a few days off. He basicallytold me to get my ass over here and talk to you.”

Kira smiled. “God, I love him. He’s the bestguy I know. Listen, assuming that I can get Gideon to return my calls at somepoint, do you guys want to come over for dinner tonight?”

Grace shook her head. “Kira, we’re not, Imean…”

“What?” Kira said.

“Your brother and I aren’t together.”

“Shit. Because of me?” Kira sat forward,her feet hitting the porch with a hollow thump. “Honey, I’ll talk to Gideon,okay? You can’t break up just because I was being a big baby and acted like anidiot. I’ll talk to him and -”

“We were never in a relationship,” Gracesaid.

“What do you mean?” Kira said.

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