Page 66 of Thorn Kiss
“But?”
I shot her a side glance. “But I still deal with a mother who thinks I am the reason her life is terrible. A brother who is a good human at his core, but a bad father, a bad brother, a bad everything else. I never wanted to be a mother, but I’m doing my best to fill those shoes for Laura. I’m always picking up the pieces and it never feels like enough.” My eyes stung. “I just focus on taking one step at a time and hope for the best. I think that’s the trick to it all.”
Madi leaned her head back against the seat as she looked over at me. “I think you’re doing a really good job.”
My eyes kept burning. I’d be damned if I was going to cry right now. What kind of person would I be if I cried on the first date? “I try. I’m sorry that your job let you go. Their loss.”
“It was.” She chuckled. “I feel like I sound so casual about this but on the inside I’m dying. It was one of the worst days of my life.”
With that, we laughed together. The pressure in my chest eased and I drew in a deeper breath, shifting forward in my seatas we raced past a whole lot of nothing. I stole another side glance at her as she looked out the window, clearly absorbed by the landscape.
“It’s just really pretty.”
You’re really pretty.I smiled. “Yeah, it is. I think I’m a little immune to it. A good sunset or sunrise always reminds me of how beautiful it is, though.”
“Let’s go Sunday morning,” Madi said. “If you have time. I’ll help you pack orders in exchange for you showing me around.”
“I’d like that,” I decided. “It’s a deal.”
I could see the outline of her cheeks as she looked out the window, and she was still smiling. I started to hum to the song playing, when she cleared her throat.
“Can I ask a nosy question?”
“Of course.”
“Why aren’t you and Dallas together?”
My hands tightened on the steering wheel. “What? Me and Dallas?” I snorted, my skin suddenly feeling clammy. My clothes felt tight. “I mean. Well. You know.”
She raised a brow. “I don’t. Why not?”
Why not?
“Both of you are ridiculously hot and you know each other and the way he talks about you is magical.”
“I doubt that,” I said dryly. “I’m sure he doesn’t think of me that way.”
Madi’s laugh echoed around me. “Oh god. He definitely does.”
God, was it hot in here? Had my air conditioner gone out?
“I’m not trying to set you up. But I’m notnottrying, you know?”
“We’re just friends,” I squeezed out. “You could date him, if you want. I mean, he’s a mechanic. He’s got muscles. He can read. He’s got a lot of good things going for him.”
She let out a long groan. “You know, I definitely talked shit about the mechanic to his face when he rescued me on my first day. I didn’t realize it was him.”
The corner of my mouth tugged. “I’m sure he enjoyed that, honestly.”
“He did. He’s really hot, unfortunately.” She smoothed her hands down her legs and shook her head. “It’s ridiculous. I’ve felt more of a connection just talking to him than I ever have with anyone else. Well, aside from you.”
I traced her lips out of the corner of my eye. The first two kisses hadn’t been enough. I wanted to lean over and get a taste of her again. How sweet would she taste? What would her soft lips feel like against my pussy?Chill out, June.“I’m sure the sex will be great.” I tried my best to sound casual, and failed miserably.
“I’m sure it will be.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
June
