Page 91 of Off the Grid

“I have to find out from social media about the new hair? It looks incredible.”

I automatically reach up and play with its ends. We didn’t do much, but it’s amazing how some shape and subtle low lights freshened up my hair. “How did you know?”

“Isabella and Gia are so very proud of their feat. They may have posted several times about it. Dare I ask what they had to bribe you with?”

Of course, they posted about it.

“Nothing. Well, I take that back. It was the lesser of many evils. Hair. Shoes. Wardrobe. Being set up.”

She laughs. “Wow. They really hit you with all the things you hate.”

“See? I picked the easiest two.”

“Hair and shoes?”

I nod and smile. “Hair and shoes.”

“Well if the hair looks that good, I can’t wait to see what the shoes look like.”

“You’ll find out soon enough. I’ve been roped into agreeing to go shopping with them on Monday.” I say it like I’m dreading it, but only the shopping part. Not the being with them part.

They add a little spark to the week, and I can’t deny I always leave them feeling in a better mood.

“Ohhh, send pics. Or better yet, enough of these quick stop-ins for a hug and to raid my fridge.”

“You’re never home.” I laugh.

“I am too. Just not the hours you frequent.” She laughs. “I’ve been busy, but fingers crossed that all of my cases are coming to a close in the next month,” she says of her volunteer position as a child advocate for those in the foster system. It’s been her passion project for as long as I can remember. It gives her purpose and helps others at the same time.

“All at once? How’d that happen?”

“I don’t know. A stroke of luck? Fate knowing my baby girl would be moving here so I could shower her with all my love instead? Which is the perfect segue for me. We need to go to lunch. You and me. We need to make our own girl time. I promise I won’t force you to shop or anything.”

I smile. “I’d love that.”

“Good. Now make sure you tell the girls they’re invited too. I love how much they love you.”

“Me too,” I murmur, her comment still on my mind long after the call ends.

I love how much they love you.

The same sentiment has been on my mind a lot lately. They check in on me constantly. They send food my way when they deem I’m working too hard. They kidnap me for surprise massages.

Maybe it’s time I just tell them why I don’t want to change my wardrobe.

Maybe it’s time I finally let somebody in.

The question is why though? Why do I feel like that now?

A noise behind me has me turning, has me looking right into the light gray eyes and devastating smile of one sexy Spencer Riggs.

The man who looked at me, protected me . . . and showed me that Brandon LeCroix is the exception, not the rule.

And then it clicks.

Oh, the irony.

Because of Riggs, the man I’d thought egotistical and self-centered, I believe I can finally share what I’ve kept hidden emotionally for years.