Page 78 of Heston
London couldn’t help it. “You cussed! You said s-s-son of a bitch. You sounded just like your hus-husband.” She stuttered between the girly giggles she was trying hard to suppress. Then, oh, what the hell. Why not? She laughed. Out loud.
Kelsey laughed with her, and the sound was heavenly. It was joy, the simple joy of a mother and another woman’s daughter connecting honestly and lovingly. Just as quickly as it started, the laughter turned to tears. Kelsey seemed to understand London’s mood swings. She grabbed hold of her again, pulled her into her shoulder, and cried with her.
At last, London took a deeper, better breath and regained her composure. She stepped back from Kelsey. “If Heston heard us, he’s going to think we’re insane,” she said as she wiped her tears and blew her nose. Thank heavens for that handkerchief. She might throw it away instead of washing it, but it was a lot gentler on her sore nose than the toilet paper she’d been using. Because,duh, she’d been afraid to cry in front of Heston, so she’d hid in the bathroom when crap got the best of her. Not anymore.
“Feels good to get some of the poison out of your heart, doesn’t it?” Kelsey asked.
London nodded. “Yeah. It does. It really does.”
“But you know what feels even better?”
London couldn’t imagine.
Until mischief lit up like sparklers in Kelsey’s eyes and she whispered, “Make-up sex.”
London burst into another fit of giggles. “Never—ever—did I think you’d say that.”
Kelsey grinned. “Why not? Men aren’t the only ones with sex on their minds all day. I’ve been confined to a hospital bed or a wheelchair for days, London. Days! I’m tired of getting patted and kissed on my forehead. I want some action, girlfriend!”
Girlfriend.London loved the sound of that. She couldn’t help but fall in love with this feisty woman. Kelsey wasn’t as meek as London had thought. But she’d certainly worked a motherly, womanly kind of magic on London’s heart. She felt strong again and ready to take on the world. Her spine stiffened. Breathing came easier. So did letting go. It no longer mattered what her mother and dad had ever said. They weren’t a part of her life, never truly had been. And Obermeyer and his buddies? They were no better than dog shit, and who gave dog shit a second thought?Not me!
Kelsey had convinced London that she could and would make a difference. Maybe she already had. Shedidmatter, and from now on, she wouldn’t hold anything back from Heston. What he said mattered most. With a deep breath, London let the fabric-softener scent of the laundry room fill her lungs and her spirit. The real London Wilde was back, baby.
She turned to Kelsey. “Do you know what I’m going to do?”
Kelsey’s eyes widened. “No, what?”
“I’m going to the nearest drugstore and I’m buying a couple boxes of turquoise hair color and tons of extra-large condoms!”
They both burst into fits of laughter… and joy. Silly, magical joy.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Heston glanced over his shoulder at the hallway. Was that laughter coming from the laundry room?London’s laughing?
“Sounds like they’re done talking,” Alex said.
Heston lifted to his feet in case… You know, just in case. He heard the laundry room door open. Heard Kelsey callout, “Alex. We’re done in here, sweetheart. I’m tired. Come get me.”
Alex was already on his feet. It didn’t take him long to retrieve his wife and wheel her chair backward out of the hall and into the living room. London followed.
The moment she’d stepped into sight, Heston froze. Couldn’t move. Didn’t dare. As much as he wanted to run to her and scoop her into his arms, he wouldn’t. She’d rebuffed every advance he’d made and every sweet word he’d uttered since he’d brought her home from the hospital. If her mind was made up and she needed to leave in order to save herself, it would kill him, but he’d let her go. For her, he’d do anything, even that. Only she mattered, only her happiness. Her mental health. Just. London.
“We’re heading out,” Alex said grumpily.
“Thanks for letting London visit with me,” Kelsey added. She looked even more drained than when they’d arrived.
“You okay?” Heston asked.
“I am now. Take good care of my girlfriend, Heston.” Kelsey stuck her chin at London. “She’s a keeper.”
“That she is. Goodbye,” Heston replied hastily, then thought better. “Umm, sorry. Not what I meant. Thanks, Kelsey. Boss.”Now, please leave.
“Anytime,” Kelsey chuckled.
Alex had her at the door by then, so Heston pulled it open wider to facilitate getting that wheelchair onto the front step. “You need a hand, Boss?”
“Nope. Just need to get my nosey wife back home where she belongs,” Alex growled.
