Page 57 of Pierced Pages
“Morgan!” Lila appeared in the hallway, a big grin on her face. “Mom said I couldn’t ask you to help with my homework again.”
Morgan laughed at the tattling early-teenager. “Not tonight,” she said. Then she glanced at Danielle. “Maybe another time.”
She realized in that moment that she wanted desperately for there to be another time. But the possibility of fitting into Danielle’s life wasn’t the only obstacle. The reverse was another consideration.
Danielle had so far proved that she didn’t give a care about Morgan’s money, and the idea of Morgan’s family didn’t seem to scare her away, either. But maybe that would change after the weekend. Perhaps Morgan’s changing feelings weren’t worth considering after all.
“Maybe,” Danielle said.
Morgan couldn’t help catching the slight touch of hope in that word.
Could Danielle possibly feel the same way?
No, that rejected kiss in Morgan’s car still said otherwise.
Danielle grabbed her purse from the counter. “We should probably head out. Right?”
“Only if you’re ready.”
“Ready as I’m gonna be,” she said with a smile that let Morgan know it was a lighthearted joke, not really serioustrepidation. Then she turned to Lila and Gerri near the couch. “Behave for Aunt Gerri.”
“Mooooom, I’m not a little kid.”
“We’ll be fine,” Gerri said. “Don’t worry about us. I’m good here for however long your thing lasts. Go have fun.”
Morgan wasn’t sure how much fun this was going to be, but she was sure she was glad to have Danielle by her side.
They said their goodbyes then headed out to Morgan’s car. Once they were inside, Morgan turned sideways to face Danielle.
“Okay. So let me give you the rundown of what to expect. Then you can decide if you still want to come with me.”
Danielle laughed. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“My sister, Felicia, will be fine. She knows I’m bringing a friend—a female friend—and she’ll be busy mingling.”
“Got it. Don’t worry about your sister.”
“My aunts…well, they’re nosy as hell. Tell them as much as you want, I don’t care, but be warned that they’ll say, ‘Interesting,’ a lot. In that tone, you know? So tread with caution.”
“Got it. Nosy aunts.”
“My mom,” Morgan said. “My mom is a piece of work. She will be judging you, and you’ll know it. Just know it won’t be you. She’s like that with everyone. And I mean everyone. She especially hates the fact that I’m gay, so telling her we’re friends won’t matter. She’ll still hate that you’re there. Ignore her.”
“Got it. Don’t take your mom’s reaction personally,” Danielle said. “Is that it?”
Morgan couldn’t believe how Danielle was taking everything in stride. It really seemed like she’d be able to handle all of this. Or maybe she was underestimating how terrible all of this would really be. Maybe Morgan hadn’t been clear enough about the terror that awaited them.
“That’s it,” she said. “That’s enough. I promise it’ll be a lot. Still in?”
“Yup. Still in.”
It took all the willpower Morgan had to resist leaning over and kissing this woman. Again. But she didn’t think her heart could handle a second rejection.
No, sheknewit couldn’t handle it.
“Good,” she said. “Thanks for this. I mean it. It’ll be nice to have someone there who I know is on my side.”
“Of course,” Danielle said. “Looking forward to it.”
