Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“He’s going to handle Connie. I have faith in that.”

“What about Maya and Cole?”

“How much do you love him?” Scottie asks

“That’s an odd question.”

“Humor me.”

“I love him more than I ever imagined possible. All these years, I held on to what we had. But this time is different. When we were in Aspen, I saw a side of Pierce I didn’t know existed. He was always an affectionate boyfriend, but there was something about him that went even deeper. It’s hard to explain.”

“I’ve been your friend for a long time, Darby, and I’ve witnessed a side of you that I didn’t know existed. In Aspen, it was easy to see why. You two belong together.” There’s tenderness in Stephanie’s voice that she uses when she thinks I’m being unreasonable.

“Guys, I’m moving my business across the country.”

“Yes, but what if you weren’t? Would you be more apt to move forward with Pierce?”

“There’s no what if. I am leaving.”

“Are you going to drive away, leaving all memories behind, and forget about him?”

“That’s not possible.”

“You’ve convinced yourself a life with Pierce is impossible. Do you see yourself marrying and having children with a man you settle for?”

The thought of getting married and having children with another person causes my heart and stomach to seize at the same time. I can’t look at either of them as my eyes and nose begin to sting.

“I didn’t think so. But it seems you’re dead-set on not only devastating him but torturing yourself. And we’re not going to let that happen,” Scottie speaks up.

“There is no chance here. You asked how much I love him. Well, I love him enough to stop making a mess of his life. He doesn’t need to fight with Connie, Maya, or anyone over me. It’s not fair to him.”

“You’re not paying attention if you think you’re making a mess of his life. That man isn’t going to stop, and you need to trust him to make the right calls when it comes to Connie and Maya.”

“I’m mo—”

“Yes, we know all about you moving. Stop repeating it.” Scottie flings his hand in the air dismissively. “But I’m guessing you didn’t read your contract with the keen eye of a legal expert.”

“No, I trusted you two to highlight the major points. That’s what I pay you for.”

“Good thing you did trust us because if you did read the finer points, you’d see that your move to Aspen doesn’t have to be a permanent relocation.”

“What are you saying?”

“He’s saying I’m brilliant, and you will have options down the road. It’s time for you to let go of all these shitty reservations and believe in Pierce,” Stephanie states bluntly.

“Is that all you’re going to tell me?”

“For now. Just know that we all love you and have nothing but your best interests in mind.”

“I need more than that.”

She gives me an icy hard stare that essentially shuts down the conversation.

“You’re both suggesting I forget the fact that I’m moving my entire life across the country. Instead, I need to deepen my relationship with Pierce, meet his children—which makes me want to vomit—and trust that the impossible is going to work out, that there may actually be a future with the first and only man I’ve ever loved?”

“Yes, sounds right.”

“Some friends y’all are. There’s a psychiatrist out there that’s going to make a fortune on me when my heart breaks this time.”

“Nah, I have faith this time will be different.” His eyes glimmer, and he winks at Stephanie.

A little voice in my head springs to life, reminding me these are two of my closest friends and most trusted people in the world. Through thick and thin, they’ve been by my side and would never do anything to hurt me. I blow out a loud breath, admitting defeat, and their faces break out with wide grins.

But I know what I’m doing tomorrow after I drop them at the airport. I’m going to lock myself in this shed and read through every line of that contract to find out exactly what my options are down the road.

Chapter 19

Pierce

Darby opens the door before I clear the last step, and my cock grows hard instantly at the sight of her. Her hair hangs down loosely in thick, shiny waves, and her skin sparkles brightly with the glitter in her body lotion. She’s wearing the same black silky pajamas she wore the morning I showed up here, but this time, I can truly appreciate it in the daylight. It’s a simple short set, probably not meant to be sexy, but the way it molds to her body, showcasing her long legs and hugging her waist, screams seduction. She flashes me a smile, her lips shimmering with her favorite lip gloss that I know tastes like raspberries.

“You’re earlier than I expected.”

“And you’re fucking spectacular.”