Pretty Little Dreams by Jennifer Miller

I’m going to look like a baby giraffe trying to get her balance, or something.”
    “A baby giraffe?”
    “Yep,” she says popping the p. It makes me chuckle.
    “Oh angel, you could never be anything but hot.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her making her laugh. But then, her laugh cuts off.
    “Luke?”
    “Hmm?” Maybe this is it. Maybe she’s going to tell me what happened. I try to smooth my features to hide my anxiety, and hope the only look on my face is open and curious. I notice her hesitation, and squeeze her hand, and give her what I hope is an encouraging smile.
    “Last night, Pyper told me about your mom.”
    Her words rip through me, making my chest feel tight and leaving me breathless. That is not what I expected her to say. “She shouldn’t have told you about that.” I run a hand through my hair in frustration.
    “Yes, she should have! I’m so sorry, Luke. I can’t even imagine what you’re feeling; what you’re going through. You should be with your dad, not having to worry about m– “
    “Stop right there, Livvie. I will be honest. It has been really tough. Not only have I spent these last few weeks frozen in fear, worried about you, but I also watched my mom disappear before my eyes. I won’t mince words and pretend it hasn’t been hell. But, first of all, Pyper shouldn’t have told you, because you are dealing with enough. Second, I know you. You are going to feel guilty because you think I should be somewhere other than here, and I am telling you right now, don’t even go there. When I got the call…”
    I take a second and look directly into her eyes, and for a moment, I lower the façade and let her see the pain in mine. She squeezes my hand, and I struggle to give her a small smile, and continue after clearing my throat. “When I got the call, it wasn’t even a question as to where I needed to be. Not only does my dad understand, but I know she understood too. She spent the last moments of her time with me telling me not to give up hope. She refused to let me think otherwise. Livvie, she knew how much I love you, and she knew I would have done anything to get you back. Leaving that day, wasn’t even a choice, it was a need - plain and simple.”
    “But still, what timing…”
    “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I like to think that my mom had a hand in the timing. Her way of making up for her hand in our past.”
    “That is a nice thought.”
    “Yes it is. Now, any idea when I can bust you out of this joint?” I squeeze her hand reassuringly.
    “I think my discharge papers are supposed to come any time.”
    “Great. Have you talked to your parents? What are their plans? Are they going to stay with you for a while?”
    “They want to. My mom offered to come to the condo and stay with me for a few weeks if I want her to. I think she was really hoping I would take her up on it, but I didn’t. I told her what I really need is to get my life back to normal. As much as possible, anyway. I love them for being here, and I understand her need to want to stay with me, but it just isn’t necessary. So, I encouraged them to head home after I get back to Chicago. She made me promise that I let her know immediately if I change my mind and need them.”
    “I will talk to them too and reassure them that I will be helping take care of you until you are back on your feet. Quite honestly, until that asshole is found, I don’t intend on letting you out of my sight very often.”
    “Luke, you have a business to run, you can’t be with me every second.”
    I raise my eyebrows at her in challenge, “Watch me.”
    “Luke-“
    “Olivia,” I fire back at her, “Look, I get what you are trying to do, and if you’re trying to tell me that you don’t want me there, then say it. Otherwise, I need you to understand that right now, and likely for the foreseeable future, letting you out of my sight is not going to be easy for me.”
    “Well, if you insist…” I’m pretty sure that is