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“Girl, you kicked ass today. I had no idea you were learning how to do all that.” She fans herself. “I might have a crush on you.”
I throw a pillow at her face. “Speaking of crushes… What the hell was that between you and Carver?”
Her cheeks turn bright red. “Nothing”
“Oh no you don’t, Willow Marie Grant,” I chastise. “What did you whisper to him?”
Her face turns an ever darker shade of red. “I might’ve implied that there’s nothing he can teach me but there’s a whole lot I can teach him, and if he ever wants to see heaven, all he has to do is ask.”
My mouth drops. “No wonder he was clutching his chest.”
“Enough about me,” she says, dismissively. “What about you and Jaxson?”
“What about him?”
“Seriously?” She raises her brows. “He totally wants you.”
I vigorously shake my head. “No, he doesn’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Willow, I’m not the same woman I was six months ago.” I pick at my bedspread. “Jaxson saw those monsters doing things to me he’ll never be able to unsee. He’s never going to want someone who’s used up.”
“Aurora Parks, you look at me right now,” she orders. My eyes lock with hers. “You are notusedup. I can guaranfuckintee you that Jaxson could care less about that. He sees you for the strong, independent, loveable woman you are.”
A tear slides down my cheek. “I don’t know if I can ever…”
“There’s no pressure,” she assures. “Just don’t close yourself off to the possibility.”
“I’m gonna grab a quick shower.” I stretch, and my muscles ache in protest. “Keep Lykos company?”
“Sure.” She flips on the television. “Maybe we can watchBeauty and the Beast.”
I laugh. “Always a smartass.”
“You love my smart ass.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Ditto.”
I close the bathroom door and start the shower. Steam fills the room, and I slowly strip out of my sweat drenched clothes. I let the hot water cascade over my body, loosening the knots in my back. I shampoo and condition my hair before applying a generous amount of body wash to my loofah.
When I’m clean, I step out of the shower and wrap myself in my towel. I walk through my bedroom toward my closet, yankopen the door, and squeal when Ted Jr. falls at my feet. Lykos jumps off the bed and stalks forward, growling.
“Settle,” I command.
“Aurora, why is there a dummy in your closet?”
I blow out a breath. “This is Ted Jr. He’s Lykos’ attack training simulator.”
“I thought he was already trained?” she asks, confused.
“He is,” I say. “You have to swear what I’m about to tell you stays between us.”
“You know I’ll never tell anyone.”
She’s right. There’s no one I trust more in this world than Willow.