Don’t worry about me, I consider telling her. But selfishly, I keep my mouth shut. Because the thought of her concern warms me.
A high-pitched whine sounds from behind me, and Luna lets out a reluctant chuckle.
“Our dog wants in on the hug,” Luna mutters, and I think I hear the hint of a smile in her voice.
Our dog. Like Pig is a bridge between the two of us.
I glance over my shoulder and spot the puppy’s overexcited face at the door. I think her blocky head is cute, but I know the world often sees her as something fierce. Something intimidating.
But she’s as harmless as I am. If Bill Lamont decides to fuck with me, I’ll probably end up in worse shape than Luna would. She’s the tough one in this marriage. Her strength awes me, but I don’t want to be a burden.
“Ever think about getting a restraining order against your dad?”
Luna shifts back, and I allow my arms to slacken, no matter how much I ache to keep holding her against me.
“Those don’t do a lot.” She grimaces. “I’ve had clients who tried them and still ran into trouble with stalkers. It’s a piece of paper that a determined person won’t take seriously.” Luna brushes some dirt off her jeans with brusque movements. “More likely, it’d piss him off and make my uncle jumpy.” She meets my eyes, face hardening into a mask. “The Lamonts don’t have a good history with law enforcement.”
“What’s our next step?”
Luna rises from my lap, and the void of her hits harder than a moment ago.
“Not sure.” She grabs the handle of the sliding door. “But don’t worry. I’ll figure it out.”
Even Pig’s energetic spring into the backyard can’t distract from her unspoken words.
I’ll figure it out on my own.
CHAPTER 37
LUNA
My dad’s unexpected visit leaves an invisible tension hanging over our household. Every time I leave for work, there’s a nagging voice in the back of my brain, telling me I need to check in on Charlie. That if I’m not here, something bad will happen to him.
The same voice shouts at me when I’m at the house and he goes out.
Charlie often takes Pig with him on errands. Guess Nashville is a pretty dog-friendly town because he always seems to find stores that allow our pit bull inside as long as she stays on a leash. And ultimate dog dad that he is, Charlie loves the constant bonding.
Pig’s heart is going to break when this marriage ends.
I’m torn about them going out together. On the one hand, my dad hates dogs, so she might help in that arena. On the other hand, Charlie is a tall Black man, and Pig is a pit bull. The world doesn’t look kindly on them separately, and together, I can imagine the ignorant, hostile interactions that could happen at any moment.
No matter how I look at the situation, I worry.
This is why I don’t let people into my life. Dash and Leo give me enough stress.
Even though I know my persistent anxiety would only make my father happy, I can’t seem to eradicate the worry. The apprehension seeps into every inch of my body, and I find myself jogging from my car to my front door, eager to check that my little—temporary—family is safe and secure.
A week later, when I arrive home from work, a savory scent drifts to me when I enter my house. I pull in a deeper breath.
“Charlie?” Following my nose, I find him in the kitchen, wearing an apron, bent over the stove.
He straightens and offers a sheepish smile. Pig trots up to me, wagging her tail wildly as I scratch behind her ears.
“Hey.” Charlie continues to stir a large pot. “How was work?”
The question is so domestic that I’m immediately on guard.
“Fine.” I drag the word out. “What’s this?”
