Forever Curves - Piper Sullivan Page 0,42

when you achieve your dreams. She’ll be in your heart and your mind on all those occasions, big and small. That’s how you keep her alive.”

She thought about those words for a long time, staying quiet as I paid and loaded up my car with items for her new life, a life without her mother’s physical presence. “My dad’s pancakes are better than mama’s. Is that wrong?”

“Not at all. Your mama got to bond with you in her tummy and she got all those years watching you become this great kid, it’s only fair that he gets to be the better pancake maker.”

“Okay.”

“Okay then,” I told her as we pulled into the mall parking lot. “What about your walls. Do you want art? Posters of bands and cute boys? Something else?”

She shrugged. “Maybe something with dinosaurs and unicorns?”

“Let’s see what we can find and then I need food or I won’t make it much longer. I need fuel.”

The sound of her laughter filled me with affection. Was there anything greater than the sound of a child’s laughter? “You’re only hungry because the food court is right behind you.”

I turned and saw she was right. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” The little girl could barely hold back her laughter.

“Do you want to argue or do you want to get these decoration so we can eat?”

“Dinosaurs and unicorns, then food!”

“Perfect. Come on.” After lunch we did a bit more shopping because what is a day of shopping without a pretty little dress or the perfect pearl snap shirt? For Mariana it was a couple dresses and the cutest little pair of cowgirl boots. It was the perfect end to the perfect girls day.

Or maybe, just maybe, I was delaying the inevitable.

Another run-in with Grant.

Grant

“Why are you in such a hurry to get home?” Liam’s voice held a teasing tone and the mischievous smile he wore told me he was about to get me shit. “Hot date or something?”

I sighed and picked up the bag that held my normal work clothes since I was dressed in STA sweats. “Not a hot date, just a kid who needs to eat and bathe and all that stuff.” That was most of the truth, anyway. The rest of it, that I was rushing home to see if I could spend some time with Brenna before she rushed off, was just for me.

“Do you buy that Miles? Because I don’t. In fact, I’m calling bullshit.” Liam folded his arms, brows arched in a challenge he knew I couldn’t deny. Wouldn’t deny.

Miles shook his head. “Yeah, I’m not buying it either. Matter of fact, who’s with Mariana today?” His smile was downright devious and I should have known that Shannon would know, which meant Miles would too.

I shrugged it off like it was no big deal and headed towards the door. “Brenna took her shopping for things to make her feel more at home. Her bedroom still looks like the guestroom.”

“And that’s not something she should be doing with her dad?” Liam stroked his chin comically. “Interesting.”

“She likes Brenna and I figured a woman’s input was more necessary than my desire to make her feel welcome in our home.” They didn’t need to know that it was all Mariana’s idea. “Anyway, I have to get going. I need to pick up a few things at the store before I head home and I don’t want Brenna to think I’ve left her to babysit all day and night.”

Liam’s voice was loud and booming, echoing through the cavernous hall of the STA building since he followed me towards the door. “And there she is again, Brenna.”

“Yeah, that’s her name.” I glanced down at my watch and back up at my friends. “See you guys tomorrow.”

“Good luck,” Miles called after me.

“Tell Brenna we said hello,” Liam said, laughter in his voice.

I flipped them both off and walked a little faster until I was out in the warm, clear day, the last hints of sunshine warming my skin. I made a quick stop at the market for groceries and hurried home, where I was met with the sound of feminine laughter and country music while I unloaded the bags. “Hey girls, I’m home!”

I was met with silence and then another round of giggles, so I decided to give them a few minutes while I got dinner started, seasoning strips of steak, onions and bell peppers. Then I made my way upstairs, heart thumping in my chest at the thought of seeing Brenna again, and seeing Mariana’s