Page 79 of Living for Truth
Oh damn it, now I’m going to cry. Aly’s always been an affectionate kid, but she’s a lot more reserved after everything with Whitney.
Hannah looks a little choked up herself as she nods and bends down so Aly can wrap her arms around her neck.
After Aly lets Hannah go with a “See you Wednesday!” she darts back upstairs, the cats following her like she’s their leader.
I walk Hannah to the door and give her one last kiss that hopefully conveys how much I love her.
“Thanks again, Morgan. I’ll see you Wednesday.” Hannah smiles as she walks down the steps.
“Hey, Butterfly?” I call when she reaches the bottom.
She turns around. “Yeah?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Her smile is soft and grateful before she turns around. I watch her get into her car and don’t close the door until she drives away. I shoot her a reminder to text me when she gets home so I know she’s safe.
The house doesn’t feel as cozy or complete without her here. It’s still home, but it feels like it’s missing a vital piece.
She’ll be back here Friday, in my bed where she belongs.
Chapter 36
Morgan
Kendall and I have lunch plans the next day, so I meet him outside our usual cheesesteak place while Olivia keeps an eye on the shop.
The man lived in the cheesesteak capitol of America and still insists this hole-in-the-wall place in Utah is the best he’s ever had.
He’s not wrong, it’s pretty fucking good.
Once we’ve ordered and sat down at our table, I ask him about his decision to move. Apparently the owner of the Knights—Utah’s official Major League Rugby team–—had been scouting out club teams for potential players, and he really liked Kendall’s skills.
“The team has a contract with some apartment complex near the stadium, but since I’m single I’d have to live with two other dudes. I don’t want roommates. I like having a space that has nothing to do with rugby. Something to call my own,” he explains.
“That makes sense, but the alternative is living with Mom and Dad, which seems like it would cramp your style.”
“Yeah, it would, which is why I wanted to talk to you. The apartment above the flower shop—can I live there? I’ll pay you rent and utilities, and I can even watch the shop sometimes if you need me to.”
“Well, Hannah’s living there. If she weren’t, I’d let you move in for sure.”
Kendall blinks. “You’re dating your tenant?”
I roll my eyes as the waitress drops off our sandwiches and sides and explain the whole roller coaster that is mine and Hannah’s relationship.
I tell him everything, only sparing the explicit details.
“That sounds like a fucking romance novel, bro,” Kendall mumbles around his massive sandwich.
“What the hell do you know about romance novels?”
He shrugs. “I read. They’re honestly better than porn sometimes. So imaginative. It’s basically a guide on how to pleasure women. The ladieslovea man who knows what he’s doing.”
Like Kendall didn’t already know what he was doing. Cocky fucker.
“Anyway,” he continues, “I think you should just offer to have her move in, and then I can live in the apartment above the shop. Win for everyone.”
I roll my eyes. “If it were that simple, I would have done that already. But I have Aly to think about, and shejustgave us the okay to start having sleepovers. Besides, we’ve only been official for like two days.”
