contact with any part of his face and turned my head toward the couch. My movement seemed to sever the connection on his end as well, and he cleared his throat before helping me to the couch and leaving the apartment with a quick, “Be right back.”
As soon as the latch clicked in place, I yanked the throw pillow from behind my head and held it over my face, screaming into it and trying to erase the last ten minutes from recorded time. Instead, my brain chose to tattoo it to the inside of my skull for easy access if I ever needed to replay it.
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The Fix - Description and Excerpt
Carolina Connections Book 1
My life is a friggin’ fairytale—just not the kind any single girl would ever want to star in.
LANEY:
Like any good heroine, I have challenges to face. Getting my son to wear pants is one; dealing with my snooze-fest of a job is another. Then there’s the Beast, my freeloading brother who’s worn a permanent dent in the couch at my new place. And no fairytale would be complete without a smoking hot prince, of course. Too bad he’s a complete ass.
My instincts scream at me to steer clear of Nate Murphy. Because, if life has taught me anything, there is no such thing as happily ever after.
NATE:
I may not be a superhero, but I do my best to come to the rescue when I’m needed. And, hey, I just moved halfway across the country after a single phone call from my mom. But being back home and taking on the responsibilities involved makes me a bit cranky at times. Unfortunately, the one time I completely lose my cool is in front of the hottest girl I’ve ever met. I’ve got my work cut out for me if I’m going to fix this. But I will fix this.
I’ll be anything Laney Monroe needs me to be … a superhero, a prince, or just a guy she might take a chance on.
Chapter Thirteen: It’s a Gray Area
NATE
Even though I may have been in trouble with Laney, my mood was sky high when Rocco gave me a hug on his way to bed. I waited on the couch and switched the TV to ESPN while Laney put him down. She emerged from his room fifteen minutes later and sat down beside me. I turned to give her my full attention.
She cleared her throat. “First of all, I want to thank you for picking up Rocco and taking care of him. I really don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come through for me.” She placed her hand on my arm.
Before she could continue I said, “But I shouldn’t have made plans to build a treehouse without conferring with you first. It didn’t occur to me at the time, but I get it. I’m new at the whole kid thing so you’re required to cut me some slack.” I went with my most charming grin.
“Goddamned dimple,” I heard her murmur.
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Yes, you’re right. You should have asked me first but it’s mostly just because I don’t want you promising him things that don’t end up happening for whatever reason. I can’t handle him being disappointed any more than he already is.”
I was sensing a much bigger issue at hand but I chose to let it go for now and try to tackle it later, once we’d gotten to know each other better. “You don’t have to worry. I am 100% on board with the treehouse. In fact, I can’t wait. I promise.” I crossed my heart.
“I believe you. And thank you, Nate.”
Well if that wasn’t an invitation to go in for a kiss I don’t know what was. But like a complete imbecile, I didn’t. Instead, I chose that moment to fill her in on the little incident at daycare.
“Come here,” I beckoned and made a space right in the crook of my arm. She didn’t hesitate to fill it. Warm, supple woman cradled against me, I could be happy here for a long time.
“I take it things went well with Rocco,” she said.
“They were actually awesome,” I responded and I’m sure my excitement was reflected in my voice. “But I’ve got to tell you I was a little pissed about some things at his school.”
Her body stiffened against mine. “What things?”
“Laney, I don’t know if these people are your friends or