around in skimpy dresses until someone chose us or until we were showcased.”
“Showcased? Do you want to talk about the parties?”
My eyes widen when I realize I mentioned the parties. “No!” I shout harsher than intended. Softer, I tell her, “I’m sorry. I’m not ready to talk about that.” I honestly don’t think I ever will be.
“That’s fine. Let’s go back to you feeling as if you’re not good enough. I don’t think that it’s you’re not good enough, Haven. Storm is very protective of you. You’re correct in saying those women are there to have sex with the men, but they are there because they want to be and not because they are being forced. It might sound cliché, but those women mean nothing to Storm or any of the other men.”
I peek at the clock because I don’t know how to respond. “Time’s up.”
“I want you to try cooking again. If Storm can’t help you, find someone else who can.”
I feel my heart beginning to race simply because I want it to be Storm, but what if he won’t try to help me again? “What if I can’t do it?”
“Just keep trying and keep pushing yourself to succeed. This is a long process, Haven. It’s okay to take it slow as long as you don’t give up.”
I nod, feeling better after Kayla’s encouraging words. “I will try.”
I don’t know why, but when Kayla smiles, she has a way of making me feel at ease and more comfortable. “That’s all I ask.”
Chapel and I are sitting on my bed, talking about therapy and how it’s going, and I realize Chapel seems to be further along in her process than I am. I’m happy for her. I can see a difference in my sister. She seems to be glowing with excitement and wonder for what the future holds for her.
A knock on my bedroom door interrupts our conversation, and we both know it’s Rowan. Smiling, we jump off the bed, and I open the door.
“Hey, you two.” The three of us hug and move back to my bed. “What’s been going on since the last time I saw you?”
Chapel blurts, “Storm kissed Haven.”
“Chapel!” I shout, covering my face with my hands, completely embarrassed. My heart still flutters thinking about the kiss, but now it almost feels as if it was all my imagination, which hurts. I wish Storm would bring it up and say something since I don’t have enough courage to risk being rejected by him any more than I’ve already been.
With wide eyes and mouth hanging open, Rowan questions, “Oh my god! So, what’s happening with you two?”
Dropping my hands to my lap, I look at her. “Nothing. He ran away when Ace barged into the kitchen, and neither of us has said a word about it since. Actually, he’s pretty much been avoiding me unless it’s to bring me food, but even then, he knocks and leaves it at the door. The only time I’ve been in contact with him is to go see Kayla; however, he doesn’t talk to me when we go.”
“Ugh.” Rowan lays back on the bed. “Why are these guys so freaking difficult? I remember when I first came back, and Bam tried to push me away. He thought I needed more time to adjust, that I should be with my family, but all I wanted was him.”
I can feel my heart deflate with what I’m about to admit, “There will never be anything between Storm and me. If he wanted anything to happen, he wouldn’t have run away and left me feeling so embarrassed and rejected.”
Rowan tilts her head. “Never say never, Haven. How is it going with Kayla?”
Chapel pipes in, “It’s going great.”
“For her.” I roll my eyes. “I couldn’t even complete my homework last week because of Storm.”
Rowan frowns. “Why? What was your homework?”
I groan, “To learn how to cook. The kiss was in the kitchen the first night he was going to teach me. Since then, nothing. Now, with the way things are between us, it would be too awkward asking him to help me again. I don’t know anyone else here or feel comfortable enough to ask anyone else to help me.”
Rowan quickly leaps from the bed. “Cooking? Easy!” She waves her hand in the air. “I got you covered. We can go downstairs right now, and I’ll teach you how to make a pizza.”
Biting my lip nervously, I explain, “I can’t go down there with everyone.”
Her hands