My journey has begun.
She responds almost immediately, which tells me the boardwalk must be slow for everyone today.
Willow:
Oh? What did you get? Give me a haul.
I take each book out of the bag, sending her photos.
Willow:
Very good choices.
They came recommended. What am I supposed to be looking for in here, exactly?
Willow:
Inspiration. New outlooks on life. Grand gestures. Swoon-worthy banter. Tear-inducing love confessions. Lessons in pillow talk.
My stomach flips at that last message.
Really?
Willow:
Oh, yeah. Some women like to be praised. Told they’re a good girl. Others want to be choked and spanked and called a whore. There is a whole world of possibilities between those pages.
Honestly, I could give a fuck what anyone else is into, Willow. I want to know what you like.
Willow:
Why don’t I come over tomorrow and tag my favorite chapters? I’m having lunch with a friend, but I’ll be there when you’re done with your shift?
Sounds like a date, Trouble.
CHAPTER 23
WILLOW
“Willow, is it too much to ask that you cover your hickeys while at the dining table?” Dad frowns at me over his bowl of cereal.
“Sorry.” My hand flies to my collarbone, having forgotten about the marks left by Weston that haven’t quite disappeared yet. “Honestly, though, I’d feel more inclined about covering up if you’d go a little easier on him.”
Dad raises his brow. “Did he say Iwasn’tgoing easy on him?”
“No,” I drawl. “But I heard your tone when you called him the other morning.”
“He was late.”
I set my coffee mug down in front of me. “Did he tell you why?”
“I’d prefer he didn’t.”
I roll my eyes. “He has a trauma response to storms, Dad. You know a summer storm like that is rare too. It wasn’t expected, and he struggles.” I sigh. “You know what he’s been through, and yet he continues showing up every day with more determination than any surfer you’ve trained since Liv. Give him some grace.”
My father pouts as he holds his hands out, palms up. “I have all the respect and empathy for what he’s been through, Sugar, but he works harder when he’s reminded he has something to lose.”
I toss him a resigned nod. I won’t argue with him about his methods when he has a track record of producing champions, but I’m certainly more defensive over Weston than I have been with any of his previous athletes.
