Free Risking It All by Jennifer Schmidt

know.”
    “He has let you down too many times, babe. You deserve better.”
    Kennedy closed her eyes and took a minute to gather her thoughts before pulling away from him. His hold dropped from around her waist, and she moved to the opposite side of the kitchen, putting some space between them.
    She peered at him with accusing eyes. “It’s no secret you would love it if we broke up.”
    “I would want you to break up with anyone who treated you like shit,” he said. “It’s not Brooks per se; it’s how he behaves toward you.”
    “We’re not all like you, Memphis,” she said. “We can’t all turn off our emotions and not love, and just go through life one one-night stand at a time.” She watched more closely, knowing she was treading on a sensitive subject. She knew his childhood played a huge role in how he felt toward relationships and trusting people; she just didn’t know how or why. It was the only thing about his life that Memphis wouldn’t open up about. “Some of us want monogamy and commitment and quiet nights in, doing nothing with just that one person. Some of us like to be tied down, to know there’s someone waiting for us at home who will always be there, no matter what. That’s what love is.”
    Memphis’s lips quirked into a sad smile and Kennedy suddenly felt like he pitied her.
    “Brooks isn’t waiting at home for you, and he definitely isn’t there for you no matter what. If that’s what love is, Kennedy, then you’re a fool.”
    Kennedy stood there, shocked into silence for the second time that night. She crossed her arms and attempted to ignore how small and contrite Memphis made her feel. Tears burned her eyes and she quickly tried to blink them away, but her bottom lip quivered, and he caught on.
    “I’m not trying to hurt you,” he told her.
    “Well, obviously you don’t have to try to succeed in it, then.”
    “Ah, hell, Kennedy, this isn’t what I came here to do.” He scratched the back of his neck and looked at her sheepishly. “Look, I’m sorry I said anything. I just . . . I wanted to know why you were avoiding me. I thought maybe . . .”
    Kennedy slowly turned and scrunched her brows.
    “You thought what?”
    Memphis inhaled deeply through his nose and blew it out loudly in a half sigh, half grumble.
    “Forget it. It was all about Brooks anyway, right?”
    Kennedy dropped her arms and shook her head.
    “Memphis—”
    “Do you need me to make you a list?” He changed the subject so fast Kennedy stared him in confusion.
    “A list?”
    “A shopping list. For clothes.”
    Kennedy looked down at her baggy sweats and oversized T-shirt and grinned.
    “Are you trying to tell me I need to dress more fashionably?”
    He cracked a smile and shook his head.
    “I’m telling you you’re going to need to dress more warmly for Alaska.”
    “Oh. I think I can figure it out.”
    “Do you want me to come with you?”
    Kennedy laughed. “You want to come shopping with me?”
    Memphis grimaced. “Not really, but I want to make sure you get everything you’re going to need.”
    “I’m a big girl, Memphis. I think I can handle a little winter shopping. And no, I don’t want you to come with me.” She thought for a second. “I’ll take Vanessa. She’d probably like one last outing before the baby gets here and she’s too busy to eat, let alone socialize.”
    “Okay.” He looked at her warily.
    “I can manage. Besides, if I forget something, you’ll be there to keep me warm, right?”
    As soon as the words were out she wanted to slap her hand over her mouth. She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head, grateful she was with Memphis, who would normally laugh off such a statement.
    But when she opened her eyes again she didn’t see humor—she saw heat. Memphis stared at her, his eyes burning into hers so intensely it made her mouth go dry and her throat feel like it was closing. Her heart rate picked up and her stomach knotted in both pleasure