Kiss by Kiss (Riggins Brothers 3)

I hear her words, and it’s nothing that my family and Grant haven’t told me. I’m tired of letting the scars from my past control my future. I need to figure out a way to be secure in my own skin. I think back to when Grant and I first met, and I realize I’ve come a long way. I still have work to do, but I’m getting there. “Thank you for saying that,” I finally reply as there’s a knock at the door.

“Come in!” Layla calls out.

“Hey, hey,” Sawyer says, walking into the room.

“Royce said there was cake tasting, and it involved Aurora and her mad skills, so here I am. What can I do?” she asks, taking a seat on the loveseat.

“I can’t decide, but—” Layla glances at me, and I nod. “I was just telling Aurora about my past, and she was getting ready to tell me hers.”

“I can go,” Sawyer offers, but I can tell she doesn’t want to.

“No. It’s fine. You can stay.” I catch her up to my story that’s just starting.

“I can’t imagine Grant is on board with you feeling this way,” Sawyer comments.

“No.” I shake my head. “Not even a little bit. That’s what’s so hard about it. My ex, he was my first, and initially I thought he loved me.” I go on to tell her about my relationship with Elijah and the way he would tear me down, only to make me feel as though he was doing it for me, that he loved me, and was just looking out for me. I believed it all. Every sordid word, I let it settle into my soul.

“You’re beautiful,” Sawyer says, wiping at a tear.

Layla nods, pulling out a few tissues and tossing the box to her.

I ignore her and keep going. “Grant, he’s every woman’s dream, and he wants me. After believing you're less than for so long, it’s hard to flip that switch and believe that a man like him, successful, smart, funny, sexy”—my face flames—“would want me.”

“He loves you. We all see it,” Layla chimes in. “That’s something you’ll learn about the Riggins brothers. When they love, it’s with their whole hearts. Grant’s not playing games with you, Aurora. He’s not built that way.”

“Exactly. Lena and Stanley have been married for years, and the boys all want that. They grew up watching their dad cherish their mother. He taught them how to love, and he did a damn good job,” Sawyer declares.

“I love him,” I say, wiping at my tears. “So much, and it wasn’t supposed to happen. I told myself that I’d never let a man have my heart, not after what I went through, but with Grant, there wasn’t really a choice. He swooped in, and I fell hard.”

“That’s a good thing. You can’t let your ex win, Aurora,” Layla says gently. “Don’t let him steal your happiness. He wasn’t there for you when you needed him, and he stole those years from you. Don’t let him have any more control. Trust in yourself and your heart. I promise you Grant is one of the good ones.”

“I second that,” Sawyer agrees. “It’s scary, I get that, but nothing in life worth having is easy. Just let go, have fun, love, and be loved.”

“You sound like a greeting card,” Layla teases, and the three of us crack up laughing. That’s how Grant, Owen, Royce, Marshall, and Conrad find us a few minutes later. Eyes puffy and red from tears and laughter filling the room.

Royce, Owen, and Grant make a beeline for us while Conrad and Marshall stand stock still in the doorway. “Um, whose ass do we need to kick?” Marshall asks.

“No one’s,” Layla tells him. He studies her to make sure she’s telling him the truth. “We’re just some girls sharing stories and talking about life.”

“The baby?” Conrad asks.

“We’re all fine,” Sawyer assures him.

“Aurora?” Conrad asks.

“All good.” I smile, wiping my cheeks. At this point, I’m not sure if the laughter is from the pain of my past or the happiness of my present. “I have cake,” I tell him. “This one—” I point to Layla “can’t decide. She’s going to need your help.”

“I’m in,” Conrad and Marshall say together as they step further into the room, taking the two remaining chairs.

“You good, babe?” Grant asks.

I turn to face him, placing my hands on his cheeks. “I’m better than good.” Leaning in, I kiss him softly. “I missed you.”

“You feeling okay?” he asks.

“I’m fine. Now, I need to serve up some cake.” I kiss him once more before standing and making my way toward the kitchen to slice up some cake.

“Hey.” He comes up behind me, caging me in. “What happened out there?”

“Therapy,” I tell him, glancing over my shoulder.

“You kissed me. First. In front of the entire room.”