Page 257 of The Maxwell Brothers
The next shock had been when my boyfriend of one year, Dexter, recoiled in horror the first time we tried to be intimate after the accident. That was when I became overly self-conscious about it.
“Can you cover it up or something?” he’d asked. “It’s disgusting.”
I was so distraught that I pulled the cover up to my chin and asked him to leave. We broke up soon after—not just because of that but because he claimed he didn’t recognize me anymore.
Here’s the thing—after the accident, I started thinking a lot about what I wanted in life. I’d always dreamed about having my own bakery, and I’d always postponed it. But after coming so close to dying, I didn’t want to wait any longer. I wanted to go after my dreams, and Dexter hadn’t liked that. Good riddance. I’d been brokenhearted at the time, of course, but now I could see that we weren’t meant for each other.
I’d considered plastic surgery, but it would be so expensive, and really, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go through all that. Anyway, it’d been a while, and the scar was less pink and frightening now. It’d actually flattened out a bit. Maybe I’d get used to it eventually.
“The thing is, I’d rather put all my efforts toward the bakery,” I said to Rose, needing to change the subject.
“I do. I’m not judging. I mean, all the action I get at night is waking up to feed the baby. Mark and I have to sneak around to get any sex, and most of the time, I'm praying I won't fall asleep while we're having it."
That made me laugh. Rose could say the funniest things. "It’s going to get easier eventually."
"Oh, I know, I know. I'm not complaining. It's just, you know, intense. Oh, there she is, the little terrorist, crying out for me again. Call me later."
"Sure, will do. Kiss Mom and Dad at dinner."
"I will."
Sighing, I disconnected the call and was about to put my phone in my bag when I noticed an email notification.
It was from Declan. A thrill went through me.
Hey,
I'm not going to be home when you return. We've decided to deal with this issue today. This lot wanted to postpone it, and I'm not having it.
Declan
I laughed, imagining him bossing his siblings around. I wondered how that went, because they didn't seem the kind to be commanded into anything. But Declan had this inherent dominant and authoritative way of being, and obviously Reese decided to go along with it. I'd never met someone like him… and I liked it.
Hey,
Good luck. It was fun meeting them today. I like them.
Liz
I bit my lip, waiting for his reply with bated breath.
They liked you too. I like you, Liz. Don't think I've forgotten about our unfinished conversation. We’ll finish it eventually.
Declan
P.S. Give me your phone number. I found your email in the rental contract but no number.
That thrill in my body intensified. I felt it in the tips of my fingers and all my intimate parts.
Huh, with my usual schedule, you're probably not going to see me much. Unless, of course, you come banging on my door in the middle of the night again. Below is my number.
I sent the email before I could change my mind. I felt like we'd moved way past a white flag after our kiss, but I wasn't sure exactly to what.
My phone beeped with an incoming text message this time.
Unknown: I might do just that.
CHAPTER 8
