Page 117 of Luck of the Draw

Skye drew in a breath, tilting her head to peer down the hall, and then she lowered her voice. “We’re going to a brunch at his parents’ house tomorrow, and—”

“Do you need a dress? You’re about my size before I started gaining all this baby weight, so I’ve got about a million outfits that I’m not using right now.”

“Oh.” That was actually a good idea. “I might take you up on that, but I need help with something else.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“So, you know how he’s dealing with this stuff with his dad? Like, his dad’s all upset about…I don’t know, the gambling or—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh yes. I know.”

“Right, that. So, that’s the main reason we’re going. And I was wondering if you could help me figure out something to say just in case his dad puts him on the spot.”

Liza was quiet for a few seconds. “What sort of thing did you have in mind?”

“Just anything positive I could say about what he’s doing at work. I don’t have any idea what he does for the record label. I don’t really know what y’all do there, but I was hoping you could help me figure out something to say that would be like…like…um…I don’t even know what I’m asking for.”

“You want to be able to brag on him and sound like you know what you’re talking about,” Liza supplied.

A breath of relief whooshed out of Skye. “Yes, that. Exactly that. Whaddya got?”

“Oh, girl.” Liza laughed lightly. “I’ve goteverything. Get cozy and maybe grab a pen.”

“Perfect. Hang on two seconds while I get one.”

Skye leaned forward to grab the notebook and pen Brennan was using from the coffee table and settled back against the couch cushions. While thumbing through the pages to find the next blank page, she noticed his notes were totally unrelated to the music industry. It was all names of places that sounded like the same resources she had been researching for herself ever since the first night she was with him.

She glanced down the hall again and then back at his notes.

This was all for her.

The National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence. The Justice Project. The Safe House. Breaking Free. Ruby’s Place. House of Ruth. Destiny House. Under each organization’s name were people’s names, phone numbers, websites, email addresses, and lists of bullets with notes.

Housing available.

Coordinates with local community colleges for GED and continuing education.

Offers vocational training and job placement.

Offers legal assistance.

Offers counseling.

Staff consists of female survivors/licensed therapists.

“Oh man,” Skye mumbled through a suddenly shaky voice.

“Are you okay, hon?” Liza cut through Skye’s thoughts. “You sound like you’re crying.”

Skye sniffled and wiped her eyes and nose. “No, I just…” She stared at the notes, andGod. Even this man’s handwriting was gorgeous. Strong, assertive, yet elegant. Beautiful. Just like everything about him. Especially his heart. “Brennan’s just…”

“What’s he doing?”

“Nothing.” She sighed listlessly. “Oreverything, I guess. He’s just wonderful.” She flipped to the blank page. “Anyway, I’ve got a pen, so go ahead whenever you’re ready.”

“Okay, first of all,” Liza began, “Jimmy made him the label’s sales guy, but do not call him a ‘sales guy’ in front of his dad. Call him an account executive. It’s the same thing, but it sounds better. He’s in charge of reaching out to…”

The line was silent for several beats. “Liza? Are you still there?”

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