Page 63 of Pierced Pages

“It means I’m a mess,” Morgan said. “Neither of them needs a mess in their lives.”

“You’re not a mess.” Jen laughed. “You’re a mess right now, but I don’t think this is the kind of mess that would screw up someone’s kid.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know that you’re not your mom.” Jen waited for that to sink in. “I know she got to you tonight, but you aren’t her. You could never be her.”

Morgan’s voice caught in her throat before she could loosen it again. “You don’t know that either.”

“I know that’s what you’re really scared of. And I know your brain is doing its zoomie thing and not letting you stop and think.”

She was right, of course. It was the reason Morgan had texted her. She needed someone to tell her what she was really afraid of.

“So how do I get rid of that fear?”

Jen laughed. “You don’t.”

“Well that sucks. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Jen took a sip of beer while she narrowed her eyes at Morgan, clearly thinking of her next deep thought.

“What is it? How else are you going to mentally slap me to my senses?”

“You have one choice, the way I see it.”

“What’s that?”

“You either have to face your fear and jump in, or you have to stop kissing this woman.”

Morgan’s stomach sank. She wasn’t sure this conversation could hurt any more than it did already.

But Jen was right. Again. That was the choice.

She just didn’t want to make it.

Chapter 28

Danielle

As she stood in front of the mirror behind her bedroom door, Danielle rubbed her hands along the front of her dress and stared at it in wonder once again. The fabric felt even more pleasant against her skin than it had in the boutique, and even in her crappy bedroom lighting it still looked beautiful.

That day at the boutique felt so long ago now, even though it had only been a couple of weeks. A couple of surprising weeks as she’d gotten to know Morgan better.

Danielle held her breath when Lila pulled the zipper up along her back. With another glance in her mirror, Danielle had to admit the dress had been a perfect choice. The large floral print and puffy shoulders hadn’t been her first choice, but once it was on, it somehow looked like it had been made specifically for her.

“You look so pretty.” Lila’s voice had a hint of awe in it. She wasn’t a kid into fashion or the latest trends or fancy clothes of any kind. She much preferred her soccer uniform to any dress. So, her reaction took Danielle a little by surprise.

“You think so?” Danielle turned and let the skirt flow around her like she’d done in the boutique mirrors.

“Definitely.”

“Thank you.” She turned to face Lila. “And thank you for helping with my hair.”

She’d shown Lila how to use the curling iron so Lila could work on the strands in the back that Danielle couldn't reach.

Lila tilted her head to examine her work. “I think I did okay.”

“You did better than okay.”