Page 97 of Sweet Harmony

“Ugh,” Addisonset down her piece of pizza, “all of this sex talk about my brothermakes me lose my appetite.”

“Sorry, Addie,”Kira said.

“It’s okay,”she replied. “I know you’re struggling, and I want to be asupportive best friend. But if I run out of the room and you hearvomiting, just ignore it.”

Kira gave her asmall smile before running her fingers restlessly through her hair.“I like Connor, but I’ve spent how many years in love with Daniel?Is it normal for a person’s feelings to just turn off and on like afaucet? Because that doesn’t feel normal to me.”

“Honey,” Graceleaned over and gave her knee a squeeze, “you’re completely normal.Loving someone who doesn’t love you back isn’t the same as being ina committed relationship with someone.”

Kira winced,and Grace squeezed her knee again. “I’m sorry, I know that sucks tohear, but it’s time for some painful truths. You’ve been doing thisfake relationship with Connor for almost three weeks now and Danielhasn’t made a move on you. There have been no signs of jealousy,has there?”

“No,” Kirasaid.

“Which doesn’tbother you,” Grace said.

“It does,” Kiraprotested.

Grace juststared at her and Kira looked down at her hands. “At first, Iwanted it to bother me, but now…”

“Connor is agood guy,” Grace said. “I think you should give him a chance.”

“It’s toolate,” Kira said. “I was so surprised and confused by what he said,that I didn’t say anything, and it upset him. He’s completelyclosed down and would barely talk to me today.”

“Well, the goodnews is that he’s kind of trapped in your house and with that kneethe way it is, can’t run from you,” Addison said with a smallsmile. “Just take away his crutches and start talking.”

Kira huffed outa laugh. “If only it was that easy.”

“It is thateasy,” Grace said.

Kira picked ather nail. “This feels weird. I’ve been in love with Daniel for solong that to think I’m not in love with him… it’s freaking me out.I’m not sure who I am if I’m not in love with him.”

“Your crush onDaniel does not define who you are,” Grace said. “There’s so muchmore to you than just that, Kira-bear.”

“Is there?”Kira said. “It doesn’t feel like there is.”

“Let’s see,”Addison said. “You’re a great sister, an amazing friend, a kick-assreal estate agent and a really excellent fake girlfriend.”

Kira stared ather and Grace. “What if being a fake girlfriend is all Connor wantsnow?”

“There’s onlyone way to find out,” Grace said. “Talk to him, honey.”

“I will,” Kirasaid. “But not right now. He gets the results of his MRI tomorrowand I know he’s worried about it. I don’t want to add to his stressby pushing him for a relationship. Especially when I’m still notcertain that’s what I want.”

She leaned overand rested her head on Grace’s shoulder. “Thank you so much, youguys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Grace kissedher forehead as Addison smiled at her. “We’ll always be here foryou, honey. Always.”

* * *

Kira slammedthe car door shut and stared apprehensively at the house. She wasnervous about going in, which was stupid. The house was dark, andshe knew Connor was already in bed. He’d texted her over an hourago to say that he was going to bed and ask if she was stillavailable to drive him to his doctor’s appointment tomorrow.

Addison hadgone home earlier but Kira deliberately stayed a little longer atGrace’s, too chicken to go home before Connor might fall asleep.She needed to talk to him, but she was tired and confused andneeded more time.

“Hey,Kira.”

She whirledaround, her pulse thumping and coppery fear in her mouth. “Daniel?You scared the hell out of me.”

“Sorry, doll –I mean, Kira. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He leaned against hercar, his hands in the pockets of his jeans and a sheepish smile onhis face.

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