“That works perfectly!” Beth says once the details are confirmed. “I’m looking forward to talking to you more,” she adds conspiratorially, winking at my sister.
“You too,” Kylie says just as conspiratorially.
And hell, she winks back.
I glance at Joey, know her wide eyes mirror mine.
Same as I know…
We’re in trouble.
FIFTEEN
Joey
“Oh, that looks absolutely delicious!”Beth exclaims as the waitress sets the plate of fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with whipped cream and caramelized bananas in front of her.
She’s not wrong.
It looks amazing.
Though mine—topped with Nutella and strawberries and those gorgeous mounds of whipped cream—looks better.
“Itlookslike a sugar coma,” John grumbles. “All three of you.”
Because Kylie got pancakes too—hers topped with lemon curd and whipped cream.
“Carbs fuel your brain,” she says without missing a beat and I can’t help but like her, can’t help but admire her exuberance and the joy for life that just exudes out of her.
Not gonna lie, though, I’m a little jealous of Kylie Connors.
She’s Beth but forty years younger—bright and joyous and with a dash of mischief thrown in.
Case in point? She ignores John’s scowl and cuts off a humungous piece of pancake with her fork, plunking it into her mouth, eyes dancing as she moans, “Mmm. Sugar.”
I bite back a giggle, turn and see that Damon has an indulgent smile on his face.
Sweet.
Loved.
My heart twinges.
Because someone hurt her, left wounds—my stomach clenches—that will never be healed. It’s proof the world is fucked up. Proof that good doesn’t always triumph over bad.
I wonder where she hides her wounds, wonder if Damon somehow managed to heal them.
But I have my doubts.
It’s not so simple…
Only when I look back at her, see the bond, the love that she and Damon share, I think that maybe sometimes miraclesdohappen.
That Damon might have superpowers.
That I might be healed too—if I only let him in.
My pulse speeds up and I clench my fork tighter. Damon’s superpowers don’t matter. I have so many wounds that the ones Hiller left me barely track.
