Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(34)

Those three things alone were pretty damn great, and I did have them. Right now, even. I had those now.

For long minutes, we sat on the floor in silence. I let all the things she’d said burrow deep and plant seeds of hope back into my heart.

“Are you going to do what I said?” Mila finally asked in a hushed tone.

I nodded.

“I need to hear the words from your mouth that you’re going to talk to someone.”

I nuzzled into her shoulder and sighed. “Okay, I’ll call someone.”

Her arms tightened around me again. “I love you, Monet.”

“I love you too.” She would never know just how much her being there for me meant, but I’d try to find ways to show her.

Mila kissed the top of my head. “You feel better?”

“Can I plan the baby shower?” I changed the topic, wanting something good to focus on.

“I’d be bummed if you didn’t,” she said automatically.

“Can I plan the wedding?” I pushed.

Her entire body stilled, then suddenly, her chest shook with her laughter. “Is this emotional blackmail?”

I sat up and wiped at my eyes. “You deserve a real wedding, Mila. Not something big, just the Lotus House people, us, Atlas’s mom. Maybe some of Atlas’s new friends at work?”

“Would this make you happy, really?” She dipped her head, focusing on my eyes.

“Yeah. Planning a wedding for my best friend would give me something amazing to look forward to.”

She shrugged. “Okay. We were just going to go to the courthouse once you were healed, but a small party couldn’t hurt. I’m talking small. And we pay.”

I opened my mouth to object, but she pressed her finger to my lips.

“We pay. You buy your own maid of honor dress and Lily’s flower girl dress.” Her smile was infectious.

“This is going to be great. Lily will love wearing a frilly dress.” A renewed sense of purpose rippled through my chest and squeezed my heart. My best friend was a goddess.

Mila nodded. “Get her the most obnoxious fairytale dress ever. Frankly, I don’t care as long as she’s in it.”

“Thank you.” I grabbed Mila’s hand.

She stood up and helped me stand. It hurt but didn’t seem so bad with the new plans I had for the future.

“When you slip over the edge, I’m always going to help you climb back up. Same as what you do for me. That’s what best friends are for. Making sure you don’t go completely off the deep end.” She winked and then left me alone in the closet.

I looked down at the pile of dresses on which I’d taken out my rage. One by one, I picked them up and hung them where they were supposed to go. I ran my fingers down the blue summer dress that reminded me of better times.

I fingered the flowing fabric. “Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to wear you again.”

Mind set on new horizons, I went over to my bedside and pulled out my phone. I scrolled through my business contacts and settled on the one I needed.

The phone rang three times until a cheery voice answered. “Dr. Shelby Batchelor here.”

I smiled, thinking of my sweet friend. We’d gone to college and then medical school together but had gone our separate ways since entering the field of psychiatry. I knew she mostly taught at UC Berkeley but saw clients twice a week to keep her clinical skills fresh.

“Hi, Shelby. It’s Monet. I was wondering if I could make an appointment to see you.”

“Oh, it’s so good to hear your voice, Monet. Would this be for pleasure or business?”

I swallowed, pushed down the anxiety, and laid it out. “This would be personal. I need someone to talk to. Someone objective.”

Once I had the words out, I allowed them to sink in and realized that Mila was right. Just as my clients needed someone to talk to about their trials and tribulations, so did I. Especially now.

This was one step in taking back what my ex stole from me.



* * *



Clayton arrived before the rest of the crew. As usual, his arms were filled with grocery bags.

“Didn’t you get enough yesterday?” I asked, poking my head in.

“Today’s special. I needed some wine for the ladies and some brewskies for the guys. You’re allowed only a little since you’re still taking medication.”

I harrumphed dramatically. “I’ll have you know, I have weened myself off the pain pills. I think that earns me at least two glasses.”

Clayton shoved the bags to the side, gripped both of my hips, and pressed the long length of his body against mine. “Does it? Maybe if that request came with a kiss for your man, he could be persuaded to break the rules, just this once.” His blue eyes blazed with heat, sending a shimmer of arousal through me.

“My man?” I sucked in a quick breath as he invaded my space more fully.

I set my hands on his ribs lightly and then decided against a light touch and went for bold. I held on to his body, which smarted against my healing muscles but was well worth it when he rewarded me with a sexy growl. Clay dipped his head to the curve of my neck and laid a series of long kisses there.

“Yes, your man. Me. The guy who’s been making you dinner every day going on two weeks. The man who’s got the wine.” He waggled his eyebrows.