Page 56 of Pierced Pages

Danielle sighed and shifted the car into drive. “Whatever you’re trying to make happen that doesn’t involve your education is not happening.”

The pain in her gut as she said those words confirmed what she’d been trying to deny all week. What she’d been trying to deny for the past couple of weeks, if she was being honest. She wanted exactly what Lila was asking for. It just wasn’t possible.

“But you like her, right? I saw how you looked at her. You don’t look at Aunt Melanie or Aunt Kim or Aunt Gerri like that.”

“I don’t know what you think you saw, but Morgan and I are just friends.”

For now.

She couldn’t believe her brain had formed those words. Did she really want to make this happen? Morgan had said she wasn’t interested in a relationship, but so had Danielle. Maybe Morgan had changed her mind, too. Maybe this was a conversation they needed to have.

“Well, can she come help me this weekend, anyway? Like Sunday. After the wedding. Please?”

“We’ll see,” Danielle said, wondering if that would even be possible after the conversation she wanted to have. Morgan may never want to speak to her again after that. “For now, you’re stuck with me and your history notes.”

“Fine,” Lila said with a huff. “But for the record, I’d rather have Morgan here. She’s better than you at this.”

Danielle ignored the last part and allowed her brain to focus on the first half. She’d rather have Morgan there, too.

It felt like everything had changed. All with a bowl of soup.

It really was a conversation they needed to have.

Maybe even this weekend.

Chapter 25

Morgan

The wait nearly killed her.

Maybe that was dramatic, but Morgan couldn’t help thinking it. Standing outside Danielle’s apartment door felt like the longest she’d waited for anything in her life.

Again, dramatic.

Morgan wasn’t dramatic. Excitable, yes. Sometimes. But not dramatic.

Yet, here she was, convinced her life would be over if that door didn’t open soon.

The click of a lock set her heart racing, and a few seconds later, Danielle appeared in the doorway. She was wearing sage green linen pants with a ruffled white blouse that popped against her tanned skin and sparkling green eyes.

She was gorgeous.

This was a mistake.

“Hey, come in,” Danielle said. “If we have a second?”

“Yeah, sure.”

She entered the apartment, grateful she’d left a few minutes early. Even more grateful to be in Danielle’s home again. It felt so comforting in there. So full of life. So Danielle.

“Morgan, this is Gerri,” Danielle said, gesturing to the dark-skinned woman with cropped hair and a cheerful smile. “Gerri, Morgan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Morgan said.

Danielle had mentioned having a friend who would stay with Lila while she was gone. Morgan got the impression she was more like family than just a friend. Especially now that she knew Danielle’s mother and grandmother had passed away.

“Likewise,” Gerri said.