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I hang up the phone, drop ley rubs his furry face against ley?"

His deep ru purr assures irding o out and face Cam I leave the closet and turn off the shower, then head into the living roo at the kitchen table in the middle of his meal, Cam takes one look at ?"

I take a seat across froley jumps into Cam’s lap instead of mine "Can I ask you a serious question?"

"Of course, lass Askbeautiful?"

He stares at row unco I think you’re beautiful" I wave a hand at his body, a gesture of disgust "You look like you were carved from a perfect piece of marble by aFinally he says quietly, "Who were you talkin’ to on the phone?"

"Myto answer ry, but I don’t think it’s directed at ht Here’s your answer: h sounds like a noise someone would , it looks pretty good"

His eyes flare "Aye? How so?"

"C’ You’re probably super rich You’ve got your pick of women--andbanquet of choices"

"Is it?"

"Isn’t it?"

We stare at each other The terees Holding aze, he says, "What did she say that hurt your feelin’s this tiht e it implies I hate it more that the implications are spot-on But I hate it uess what this whole conversation is about because the dah ht

"Joellen"

I close ainst the hot prick of tears the tenderness in his voice evokes He feels sorry forme up with his hands around

With his strong arms wrapped around my back and his head bent next to mine, he says, "People can be arseholes Sometimes those arseholes are family It sucks, but it doesn’t mean you have to take on their bullshit Your mother’s BS is about her, not you You’re perfect just the way you are, lass Anyone who tells you different is a stupid bloody arsebadger"

My throat closes My face crumples A whimper rises from somewhere deep inside my chest, impossible to prevent Oh, no Don’t cry Do not cry, for God’s sake--

I burst into tears, bawling into his chest--loud, ugly-cry bawling, co, my hands fisted into his shirt

He exhales slowly, his arainst hiht of a vow

"Ah, lassie If it were anyone else but family who made you cry like this, they’d already be in an ambulance"

I don’t knohy, but that ainst hi such a sad spectacle Years of anger, hurt, and loneliness pour out of me like a tap has been opened I cry until I’ with shame

Then Cam performs a miracle and picks me up in his arms