Page 28 of Hideaway Heart

“Because everyone said how hard it was. I wanted to prove I’d be good at it.”

“And were you?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I was.”

Her lips tipped up. “You’ve got a healthy ego, you know that?”

I gave her half a cocky grin. “Just telling it like it is.”

She looked amused. “Do you still live around here?”

“Right now, I’m living with my dad in the house where I grew up. But I’m planning to move out as soon as the bar opens.”

“Where’s your mom?”

“She died when I was ten.”

“Oh.” The playful expression faded. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

She sighed. “My mom drives me crazy, but I can’t imagine life without her.”

“What about your dad?”

“My dad.” She turned her face to the sky again, moving her arm down over her eyes. “He’s around. Occasionally he even sticks around.”

I waited for her to go on, but she didn’t. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to pry.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got Daddy issues, but who doesn’t?”

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

She sighed, then rolled onto her side again. “You know what Ireallywant to do?”

“What?”

“Go out for dinner. Like a normal person. Just go grab a beer, a burger and some fries, and relax. Is that possible?”

“It’s possible,” I hedged. “Will you take the precautions I ask you to?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s do it.” I popped to my feet and reached down to offer her a hand.

She took it and let me pull her up. For a second, we just stood there, chest to chest, her hand still in mine.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” I told her.

“About what exactly?”

“Being a dick about your situation. Saying I’d never let anyone tell me what to do. I don’t really know how I’d react in your place.”

She looked surprised. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

I dropped her hand. “And I’m sorry I gave you shit about that Instagram post. I just want you to be safe, and now I’m expecting a tour bus full of Hart Throbs to pull up any minute.”

Her expression turned sheepish. “I was so worried about what I looked like in the photo that I didn’t even notice the house numbers above my head. You know what? I’ll just stay off social media while I’m here. It’s only two weeks. It will probably be better for my mental health anyway.”