Page 69 of Healing Hearts
Instead of analyzing it, I tuck her a little tighter into my side, kiss the top of her head, and I relish the soft sigh of contentment that escapes her. Maybe that sound isn’t because of me, but at this moment, it sure feels like it is.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Emily
“Think about it,” I say as I close and lock the front door of the house in the downtown core that I’m showing. “It has a lot of what you’re looking for, but only you two know if that’s enough.”
“I really liked it,” Leah says. “We’ll talk it over.” She smiles at her boyfriend, Donny.
“You know Trent Castillo, don’t you?” Donny asks.
“I do.”
“Do you know if he’s hiring? We’re just moving to the area. Leah got a teaching job in Little Falls, and I’m an auto mechanic. Everyone I talk to says that Trent would be the best guy to work for around here.”
Warmth spreads across my chest. For the first few months that Trent took over, it felt like I faced resistance, both spoken and unspoken, about my perceived relationship with Trent. I definitely lost clients, and I’m certain people have said some not-nice things behind my back. A few outright told me they suspected Trent only took over the mechanic shop to run drugs or launder money. Those comments made my blood boil becausethey clearly didn’t know Trent at all if they thought he still had or wanted any of those connections.
“I don’t know,” I say. “He only took over Mullen Mechanics a few months ago. But I can let him know you’re looking for work, and if you’re okay with it, I can have him reach out to you, if he thinks he has any hours to offer.”
“That’d be great,” Donny says with a broad grin. “I love how friendly everyone is.”
“We’re always happy when people choose to settle here,” I say. “I’ll keep an eye out for that perfect house for you within your budget.”
“Thanks, Emily,” Leah says, waving to me as the two of them head toward their vehicle.
Just as I get into my car, a text from Maggie pings on my phone.
You still good for next week’s trip to New York? Long weekend, baby!
I still can’t believe Lila’s engaged.To say her relationship with Henry had been a whirlwind would be completely accurate.
Right? At least she’s not beating me to the wedding.
Saturday night is your bachelorette?
Yes, but I told Lila to keep it low key. I probably won’t drink. No need to go splashy. Plus, we have to keep Mia in mind.
Maggie hadn’t been a big drinker in years, so it wasn’t surprising that she’d opt not to drink even at her bachelorette. It was really a matter of whether Lila would listen. As for Mia, her hit album has caused a lot of fanatical fans to come out of the woodwork. Her security concerns are huge, which is also why she and Tyler are thinking about creating a high security property just out of town and building a new house there.
Trent’s taking Amir?Maggie texts when I don’t keep the thread going.
Yep. He has big plans for them.He’s taking the time off work to take Amir fishing and to build some kind of giant Lego set that Trent got off a guy at work.
He’ll be a good dad.
Maggie’s message makes me flex my hands on the steering wheel. Even with how well things are going with his shop, how well they’re going between us, I don’t know if he’s changed his stance on telling people if we get pregnant. He was so adamant about not being known as the baby’s father that I’m not sure exactly what it would take to alter his beliefs.
Part of me wonders if I should broach it with him. Though I’ve tried not to think about our relationship too much or put much stake into how we are with each other, even the illusion of separate bedrooms has disappeared. For the last week, no matter what time he gets home, whether we’re having sex or not, I leave my door open, and he’s in my bed.
And I love it a little too much.
As soon as his hand is on my hip under the covers, it’s like any worries from the day dissipate into thin air. “Come here,” he’ll say, his voice gruff, and I never hesitate.
It took me years to get completely over my high school boyfriend, but then I met Omar, and that connection felt magical, in a way. We didn’t get nearly enough time together in the end.
But what I have with Trent is different again. He feels likehome,but also likedesireembodied. Being with him is the deepest, most solid thing I’ve ever felt in my life on every level.
It’s hard for me to believe I’m the only one who feels those things so fully. What’s built between us is real, and it doesn’t have to be temporary. Or at least, that’s how I’m starting to feel.
