“And then…” I pause, debating how much to share. But this is Margo. My sister. The person who’s been there for me through everything. “We spent the weekend together. Pretty much the entire weekend. In bed.”
Margo’s jaw drops again. “The entire weekend?”
“It was the weekend when April was with you. We had the house to ourselves and we just…” I trail off, feeling my face get even hotter. “We couldn’t stop.”
“Oh my god.” Her mouth is hanging open as she stares at me in silence for at least five seconds that feel more like hours. “This is huge. And crazy. When are you going public with it?”
“Never? It’s nothing serious.” The words come out quickly, probably too quickly to be completely believable. “It’s just sex. Really good sex, but that’s all it is. We both agreed not to make a huge deal out of it for now.”
I can tell from the look she’s giving me—the exasperated half-smile and the single, arched brow—that she sees right through my bullshit.
“What?” I ask, crossing my arms defensively.
“Does it have to be just sex?” She leans in closer again and lowers her voice. “Look, if that’s really what it is, then fine. But don’t hold yourself back from being happy just because you’re scared. You deserve more than that.”
“I’m not holding myself back, and I’m not scared.”
She bats away my half-hearted objections like the lies they are. Well, they aren’t total lies, but they certainly aren’t the whole truth.
“Three weeks ago, you came to my place glowing. Actually glowing. I haven’t seen you look that happy in years, and now I understand why.” She offers a genuine, sisterly smile. “I think Grant is good for you. Really good for you.”
I want to argue, to tell her she’s reading too much into this, but the words stick in my throat.
“And you’re clearly good for him too.” Margo gestures across the room to where Grant is standing on the small stage with Noah and a few other teammates. They’re laughing about something, and Grant looks more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him in public. “That man over there? The one who’s about to sing karaoke at a charity event? In front of hundreds of people? He never would’ve done something like this before. You know that, right?”
I follow her gaze and watch as Grant accepts a microphone from Noah. He looks uncomfortable but determined, and whenhis eyes scan the crowd and find mine, my chest gets all fluttery in that way that I’ve come to associate with him.
And only him.
“Maybe,” I admit. “But that doesn’t mean we’re both ready for whatever is supposed to come next. We’re still figuring things out.”
“That’s okay.” Margo gives a quick, encouraging nod. “You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. And don’t worry, because you know I won’t say anything to anyone. Your secret is completely safe with me.”
“Thank you.”
“But Heather?” She waits until I meet her eyes. “It’s okay to let yourself take a leap if that’s what you want. It’s okay to let yourself be happy. You’ve spent so long taking care of everyone else. Maybe it’s time to let someone take care ofyoufor a change.”
My throat tightens. “I don’t know if I remember how.”
“Then maybe it’s time to learn.” She pulls me into a quick hug, then steps back with a smile. “Now come on. Let’s go watch your man embarrass himself with whatever song Noah talked him into singing.”
“He’s not my—” I start, but Margo just laughs and takes my arm, pulling me back toward the crowd.
And as we make our way closer to the stage, I catch Grant’s eye again. He looks nervous and out of place and completely unlike himself up there.
But he’s doing it anyway.
For the shelter. For me.
And maybe Margo is right. Maybe it is okay to let myself want something more than just sex. Maybe it’s okay to wanthim.
Chapter 34
Grant
“Hold it there.” Melanie presses against my quad as I push through the resistance band exercise. “Good. Now release slowly.”
I follow her instructions, controlling the movement the same way I’ve done a thousand times before. The familiar burn in my muscles is almost meditative at this point.
