In Walked Trouble: A completely unputdownable enemies-to-lovers LGBTQ+ romance (Single in Seattle) by Dana Hawkins

Author:Dana Hawkins [Hawkins, Dana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Published: 2024-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

DRINK SPECIAL: CHERRY COSMO WITH TWO SHOTS OF VULNERABILITY

What am I doing? All sorts of awful, uncomfortable, itch-inducing emotions filled Remi. Emotions in general were terrible, but these were supervillain level of terrible. A sweat bead developed beneath her temple, and her mouth was so dry she couldn’t speak. She followed Maya up the gnome-laden path to her house and contemplated sprinting back to her car and peeling down the road.

She stepped into the home and another overwhelming emotion engulfed her, but this one she couldn’t name. The lingering smell of the cookies from the morning, the pictures and plants, the over-sized couch with hand-knitted blankets, felt like a hug. If her mornings could start with this feeling, she’d probably be a better person.

“Hungry? My mom made a ton of leftovers.” Maya walked to the kitchen and rummaged through a stack of containers in the fridge. “We’ve got lasagna, tuna casserole, and…” She popped open a lid and sniffed. “Sloppy Joe mix.”

Any other day, Remi would’ve devoured all of them and asked for more. But today, her stomach clenched so tight she wasn’t sure she’d ever eat again. “I’m good.”

“I’ll make some tea.” She filled the kettle with water and pulled out two mugs. “I think my mom forgets I lived without her for the last five years. I feel bad she’s making me this food when she’s gone, like I wouldn’t know how to do it without her.”

Remi sifted through the assorted tea packets and grabbed the peppermint. “Maybe she just likes doing it and doesn’t see it as a chore?”

“I think she loves it. Like this biological need to make sure her kids are being fed.” She pulled honey from the cabinet. “Do you mind if I throw my pj’s on and you watch the water?”

“Sure.”

Remi’s throat tightened as she scanned the fridge—Star Student Award Certificate with Harper’s name, a dozen magnets from Mount Rainier, photos of Maya and Harper, and an insulin dosage schedule.

The kettle screeched. She filled the mugs, tucked the honey in the crook of her arm, and moved to the living room. After finding coasters under a few magazines, she settled into the couch when Maya stepped into the room. Why did the sight of her in a messy bun and a two-piece button-up, cherry-decorated pajamas send a zap through Remi? She focused on dipping her tea bag and not the flutter in her chest.

Maya pulled a leg underneath herself and squeezed honey into her mug. Her spoon clanked against the ceramic. She licked it off and set it to the side. She seemed to be waiting for Remi to say something as she sat there, testing the water temperature.

Remi’s chest felt like weighted sandbags were stacked on top of her and the only way to remove them was to shed pieces of her past. But those sandbags also protected her. If she opened up, Maya would probably give her some version of “poor Remi,” or “such a shame,” or some other disgusting phrase that would make her cringe first, become irate second.

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