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Logic stated that TJ was never going to love her. They couldbe friends again, but maybe she needed the time. Maybe it was a good thing shewas going away.
“He’s an asshole if he can’t see how amazing you are, Lou,”Kala said.
But he wasn’t. He was kind to her. He’d protected her likeshe was his own sister. He was good to everyone, and when he walked into aroom, he brought along sunshine. He was goofy and sweet, and she loved him.
“It’s okay. I don’t want you to be mad at TJ. He’s your cousin.”
“Yeah, well, you’re my sister.” Kala slumped down besideher, her head dropping so it was on Lou’s shoulder. “I hate that you’re hurt, andright now it feels more like TJ hurt you than that fucker Dennis.”
TJ didn’t mean to hurt her. “I wish all the best for him. Sowe’re going to pretend like I didn’t tell you and life will move on. I will notbe attending the prom. I will be staying home and watching movies and eatingpizza. Want to join?”
“Well, now that sounds like fun,” Kenzie said with a frown.
“You have a dress and everything,” Kala shot back. “LikeLou, I made my play a couple of months ago at another dance and I’m done. Idon’t care what they say. This is not the best time of my life. It’s not. Butit’s coming.”
There was a knock on the door, and then her dad stuck hishead in. “Hey, sweetie, I brought some snacks.”
Her dad always brought snacks. She sniffled and sat up. “Thanks.”
Her dad was a big blond hunk of man who looked like heshould be on a muscle magazine rather than carting around a teen girlcharcuterie complete with string cheese and grapes and Slim Jim’s. Her dad wassix foot seven inches of pure muscle, though his badass look was alwaystempered by some dog at his side. There were two following him around now. Hewas fostering one super-sweet but mangy looking mutt who kind of cowered behindhim, and the other was a creaky old Chihuahua Lou treated like a baby half thetime. Her father loved animals, as evidenced by the four goats, two horses, andmultitudinous chickens on their property. And then there was the sleeping babyon her dad’s chest. Her baby brother. Jayce.
She was so happy for her mom, so happy she’d found someonewho could love her, who deserved her.
He sat the big board down, and there was a deep creasebetween his brows he only got when he was worried. His hand went up to thesling he had around his torso. Since Jayce had been born, her dad had taken tocarrying him around most of the time.
“What can I do?” her dad asked. He looked to Kala.
“Already offered. I’m not allowed to murder anyone,” Kalasaid with a sigh. “But I am allowed to hang with her that night. How about youmake some of your pizzas for us, Uncle B?”
Despite the fact that there wasn’t an ounce of blood betweenthem, Kala had grown up calling Boomer Ward uncle. Like Lou called Kala’s dadUncle Ian.
Was it so surprising that a guy like TJ viewed her as asister?
“Anything you girls want,” her dad promised.
There was only one thing she really wanted, and she wasn’tgoing to get it. Did she have to give him up entirely? Could she not have theman she loved in her life even if he couldn’t love her back? She managed asmile. “Thanks, Dad.”
She settled back as Kenzie started talking about somethinggoing on with her friends.
Kala’s hand found hers, squeezing.
She was good. Dennis would mean nothing to her in a coupleof weeks, and she would move on with her life.
Kala was right. They had a plan, and that was what she wouldfocus on.
Not TJ.
Chapter One
Dallas, TX
Twelve Years Later
Lou stared at the man across from her. “I’m going to be honest.When we matched on the app, I didn’t think it was actually you.”
The man across from her smiled, and she had to admit helooked good. He’d been a cute boy in high school, but he was obviously a mannow, his lanky form having filled in with muscle. And the beard on his facesuited him, too. “Well, I knew damn well it was you, and I was excited. It’sbeen a long time, Louisa. You look amazing.”
Dennis Sims wore a dress shirt and slacks despite the factthey’d only agreed to meet for a coffee. It was obvious he’d taken care withhis appearance.
