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When Jem, Andy, and Giselle told me I’d need to make a decision, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to decide the future for me and Audra, not when I spent the last year and half planning where to go next, how to cover my tracks in case Sean found me — found us. Letting go of the decision-making for the short amount of time was a relief. Being stuck here with nowhere to go took the decision out of my hands. I had to stop running.
And now I have. And it feels really fucking good.
Let Sean come. He won’t find the same damaged woman that he beat down to nothing if he were to find me right now.
I’m stronger now. Surer of myself. It doesn’t hurt having Harlan in my corner either. He knows everything, and that by itself, is a gift of relief I didn’t know that I needed.
He knows everything — and still wants me.
In wanting me, even with my past, he healed a small part of me that still believed I was worthless, undesirable, a waste of space.
Harlan didn’t fix me. He just reminded me of who I am and what I’m capable of.
Harlan pulls into a parking spot outside of Brewed Awakening and puts the SUV into park. I’m still leery of the sheriff’s station, and I think he knows that since he offered to drop me here and then pick me up once he makes sure that his deputies are covered for the day.
“I shouldn’t be more than an hour. Is that going to be enough time for you girls?”
I cock an eyebrow at the teasing in his tone. “Yeah?”
Harlan chuckles. “Maisie. You can go girl gab with Jem and it’s not going to bother me.”
I draw back in fake shock. “What?”
“Sunshine, you didn’t even bring your laptop.”
My cheeks heat at being caught. He’s right. I didn’t bring my laptop, or anything else work related. I was too busy getting Audra ready and packing her diaper bag for the day.
“Sorry.” I blush through a smile.
He wags his eyebrows at me. “Don’t be. Just say nice things about me, and we’re good.”
I lean over and kiss him. Tasting the amusement on his lips before pulling back. “I promise to say all of the very best things. They’re true anyway, so there’s that.”
A single eyebrow lift is the only response I get before I escape the car and snag Audra from the backseat.
The early morning crowd has cleared out from the shop and there are only a few patrons eating at some of the tables.
“Is Jem here?” I ask the barista manning the register.
“She’s doing inventory in the back, one sec.” She holler’s Jem’s name over her shoulder. “How’s it going, Maisie? You want a tea while you wait?”
I nod. “It’s going great. And sure, can it be one of those gummy teas?”
“The gummy bear? Sure.” She snags one of the plastic to-go cups and adds ice. I pay just as Jem pushes through the door from the back.
“Hey, Maisie. Audra.” She makes a goofy face at my daughter. “What’s up?”
I’m standing to the left of the register and baked goods display case and whisper-shout, “Do you have a minute?”
Jem grins at me. “I think I know where this is going, and for girl talk that gets me out of inventory, I absolutely have time.” She snags a mug from behind the counter, and we head over to a table by the door with a view of the square.
“So you and Harlan?” Jem cocks an eyebrow at me.
I nod and grin. My head bouncing up and down like a crazy person. “Me and Harlan.” My heart sighs at the sound of it.
“Eeeep! High five, girl!” Jem holds her hand up to mine, and I slap my palm to hers.
Audra giggles in my arms and the sound couldn’t be more perfect for the moment.
