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“My girl” Moot such a good head on her shoulders Straight A’s all through school Never caused a single bit of trouble But she’s also got the softest heart of anyone I know”

“Which she got froirls are sensitive souls”

I snorted softly, knowing darn well that even though I had a soft heart, I wasn’t a ‘sensitive soul’ as he’d put it Maybe I would have been, if I hadn’t have spent the last ten years taking care of business around the house Making sure the bills were paid since hty like that Someone had to live in the real world, and asto be her

“I don’t like seeing those pretty blue eyes filled with tears” Harrison’s foot slid along the side ofcomfort

“Oh, you’ll get used to it,” my mom replied airily

“Not if I have anything to say about it” I saw, more than heard, his words since he spoke so lowly But with my eyes on his lush lips, I knehat he’d said and my heart soared

“Hush, Bunny” The smile Stanley sent my mom’s as soft “Or else you’ll scare my brother off before we make it to the airport, and then what’ll we do? We can’t just leave Maggie here alone for teeks”

It was at this point in the conversation that I usually interjected with all the reasons they could do exactly that, but this ti Now that I’da sudden about-face and deciding Harrison didn’t need to stay with me

Stanley offered his brother an apologetic sreed to stay here with Maggie, especially since I kno much you hate small towns like Fentonville”

“Which justin comarlic bread

“You’re not a fan of small towns, either?” Harrison asked me

“Well, I’ve never really been anywhere other than a s,” I answered shyly, feeling like a stupid teenager as I admitted it

But Harrison didn’t seem to mind at all “Maybe I’ll take you to Miahts”

“Now, Harrison She’s only seventeen”

“Eighteen,” I interjected

Stanley smiled at me a little ruefully “Yes, sorry It’s hard to think of hteen” He turned back to Harrison “Anyway, anything could happen to her in a city like Miami,” Stanley chided

“Nothing bad will happen to her when she’s with h he was ready to fight soinary foe to protect me

“Of course not I’nolia for us,” et the cake off the counter

As she set it in front of me, my eyes met Harrison’s one last time before I looked down at the lit candles Then I closed them and made my wish

Please let Harrison want me as much as I want him

Chapter 3

Harrison

It was great to see Bunny and Maggie pulling out another side of Stanley Justin with her had been unexpected of my very traditional brother