Page 10 of Forever my Love

“I don’t care,” Hailey broke in. “I’m done running.” She lifted her head. “Now”—she glanced at her watch—“I’ve got to get ready for my next session with Reece. You should come,” she said suddenly. “Maybe we can learn something that will help us feel more secure.”

Harper looked as if she were going to agree, but at the last moment, she shook her head. “No, you go. I’ll finish painting in here.” She hugged her again.

By the time Hailey stood on the mat across from Reece, she was even more determined not to leave Pride.

“Punch it,” Reece said, holding the punching mitt up. She hit it halfheartedly with her closed fist.

Reece dropped his hand and looked at her, tilting his head slightly. “What was that?”

“I hit it,” she pointed out, feeling frustrated.

Reece shook his head. “I know two-year-olds who can hit harder than that. Try again.” He held up the mitt again. This time, she tried to hit it harder, but he dropped it again.

“You’ve been crying,” he said, taking a step closer. “Want to tell me why?”

“No.” She motioned for him to lift the mitt again. When he did, she hit it.

“Was it work?” he asked.

“No,” she said, hitting the glove again.

“Did you have a fight with Harper?”

“No.” She hit the mitt again, this time a little harder. “What makes you think I’ve been crying?” She hit the mitt again.

“Your eyes are red. And you’re punching like a two-year-old. I know you have more fight in you.” He lifted the gloves a little higher.

“My eyes are not red.” She put more effort behind her hits.

Reece’s lips twitched slightly, and she hit the mitt again with double the strength.

“Yes, they are.” He ran his eyes over her face. “They’re puffy too.”

She narrowed her eyes and put everything she could behind the next punch. Reece smiled instantly.

“They are not.” She threw another punch.

Reece laughed and pulled the mitt off. He shook his hand.

“Okay, good enough. I guess I was mistaken.” He stepped closer, less than a breath away, as his eyes moved to hers. “Your eyes are perfect,” he whispered, and she felt her knees go weak.

Her eyes darted down to his lips as she remembered how they had felt next to her own. How he had tasted when his tongue had dipped into her mouth and played with hers.

“Hailey?” Reece said softly.

“Yes?” she asked, jerking her eyes upward again.

“I really want to kiss you again,” he said, but then he surprised her by taking a huge step backwards. “How about I show you a few moves to help you get away from a mugger?”

She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded in agreement, needing more space between them.

But what happened over the next few minutes could not be considered hands off. Reece came up behind her and grabbed her over and over again like a mugger would, and she could barely concentrate on the moves she was supposed to do to shake free of his hold.

“I think we’re done working on this move for now,” Reece finally said when she was winded and tried. “We can practice it again next time. How about some boxing?” He rolled his shoulders. When she nodded, he asked, “How’s the bathroom coming along?”

“Wonderfully. I promised Harper I’d help tomorrow, since I have the day off.” She took a sip from her water bottle as he slipped the gloves out of his bag.

“If you need any help, I’m always available,” he offered, holding the gloves out for her to slip them on.

“Thanks, but honestly, the bathroom isn’t all that big. From the looks of it, they don’t really need my help. I’m just…” She bit her bottom lip while Reece waited, his dark eyebrows arched. She took a deep breath. “You know Nick pretty well, right?”

He nodded. “We’ve been friends our entire lives.”

“Do you trust him? Would you trust him with your sister?”

Reece smiled. “I’m pretty sure my sister is a goner for Wyatt, seeing as they’re engaged and all…”

She rolled her eyes and broke in. “You know what I mean.” She threw the first punch at the weighted bag while he held it for her.

Reece’s smile slipped. “I would trust Nick with my life and the lives of my entire family. He’s a good guy. Through and through,” he said soberly. “Whatever is between him and Harper, trust me, Nick is one man in Pride you shouldn’t worry about.”

Hailey took a deep breath and nodded. “Thanks, I figured as much.”