Page 144 of Mountain Daddy
Luther grunts as he shakes his hand.
And then it’s time for us to say goodbye.
Am I supposed to shake his hand?
Is it weird if we hug? Ashley gave my dad a hug goodbye…
I want to hug Luther. I want it more than anything. But we’ve never hugged in front of my dad before.
“Joe, let me give you a bag of cookies to take home,” Ashley says brightly, walking toward the kitchen. Pulling my dad’s attention with her.
She really is my new favorite human.
Luther’s palm settles on my back.
I think he’s going to keep it there. Walk me to the door.
But then his hand slides around to my side, and he turns me as he tugs me into his body.
My arms go around his waist as his circle my back.
And I inhale, pulling that perfect scent of his into my lungs as I get the hug I was just hoping for.
I feel his mouth press against my hair, and my heart throbs.
Then he’s letting me go.
I drop my arms as I step back, not daring to look at Ashley’s friends as I do.
“I’ll text you later.” Luther’s eyes bore into mine, and I know he wants more too.
I take another step back. “Have a good night.”
Bye, Baby, he mouths silently.
I bite my lip, then turn and walk away.
Chapter 87
Luther
Me: You did not have to give Ashley money.
I shakemy head just thinking about it.
After what I put Kendra through today…
Meeting Ashley. The surprise of Jessie being my sister—which was a stupid but honest mistake. I’ve been so caught up in Kendra I forgot all about that little detail.
But I’ll thank the gods for the lady at poker night who gave my mom a cold. If I’d added her to today’s lineup, Kendra would’ve run for the hills.
But instead, she gave my kid money.
My phone vibrates.
Baby Doll: I remember being a broke college student.
I lean back in my chair, the worn leather molding to my shoulders.
