I giggle. It was a game we played when I was little, and I didn’t want to get my haircut. She’d sit me down and tell me outlandish stories from the salon, using funny voices. “What do you want to know?”

“Mel tells me you aren’t at Sunny’s anymore. What happened there?”

I start talking, like she’s switched my lever from a trickle to a waterfall just by being here. I tell her everything—my relationship with Ashe and the Sullivans, the accident, and all that’s happened like a news broadcast. She listens. She gasps. When I tell her I can’t have children, she stops her work and swallows me in a massive embrace.

“It’s not a problem. It’s an opportunity,” she says. “The world is full of people to love and good work for you to do. You will have a full, wonderful life without them or, if you want them, there’s no such thing as can’t. Not for Marnie Strange.”

“Thanks, Mom. That makes me feel better,” I say because it’s true.

“A man worth your time will love you for who you are, not what you can give him,” she adds, waving her scissors. “Dang, those rotten Sullivans.”

“Grady loves me like that.”

“You really like this guy?” When I nod, a warm smile emerges under her fiery hair. “Then, so do I. I promise I won’t be snippy next time. He’s just looking out for you. I respect that.”

“He’s invited us for dinner tonight.”

“Lovely! I can’t wait to get to know him,” she says, spritzing my hair with water. “I hope you’re completely yourself with him… and him with you.”

“Being yourself is the key to true happiness… and true love.”

“That’s been my problem, I think. Your father, Tilly’s, they never really knew me. I hid behind my ravishing smile and beautiful hair,” she laughs. “Not anymore. If I ever date again, it’ll be all me, on my terms, open and honest. Course, that’ll scare most of ‘em away.”

Tilly wanders into the kitchen, rubbing her tired eyes. “Oh, no, haircuts?”

“Yep, you’re next,” Mom says. “We have to look our best for dinner tonight. Everyone used to be crazy over those Tripps. I get it. He’s so handsome.”

“Mom!” Tilly and I groan together, which makes us giggle. Having an ally with Mom might be nice.

43. Grady

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Grady

I nearly repeat the mistake I made with our first dinner date—inviting the whole family over as camouflage. I don’t, but I considered it. It’s easier to avoid conflict when hosting a crowd. The noise alone might drive out my anxieties. I don’t like that Leonie’s here, don’t trust her, and know that, chances are, Marina will be hurt in the end.