Free A Heart Not Easily Broken (The Butterfly Memoirs) by M. J. Kane Page A

I’m going around three o’clock. You’ve got my number. Text me, and I’ll meet you at the gate.” He looked over his shoulder. “Hannah, Cody, let’s go. There’s a lot to see before we eat lunch.”
    Cody ran to his side. “Can we eat at McDonald’s?”
    Brian ruffled his hair. “Sure thing, kid. Did you guys thank Ebony?”
    Both blond heads turned. “Thank you,” they sang in unison.
    “You’re welcome. Have a good time.” I waved at them as they left the petting area.
    They’d walked a few feet when Hannah’s voice floated over. “You were right, she’s very pretty.”
    “I did what you said, Uncle Brian, can I still get cotton candy?”
    I shook my head and laughed. Sneaky bastard.
     Brian peered back over his shoulder, a sheepish grin on his face as he grabbed Cody in a headlock. “Kids, gotta love ’em.”
    “You talk too much, Cody,” Hannah said.
     
     

Chapter 9
     
    My Sunday morning routine started with yoga, followed by breakfast and a shower. My body loose and mind free, I was prepared to study. Dr. Jacobs hadn’t asked for his books back since our run-in. But it didn’t mean he wouldn’t change his mind. These books held invaluable information, which would make my last year in school easy. Especially since he’d been generous enough to give me copies of his notes on each chapter.
    Determined to make the best use of my time, I settled in at my desk to read.
    Forty-five minutes later, I realized I’d read the same page five times. With a sigh, I closed the book, rubbed my eyes, and massaged my neck. Ten minutes later, I tried again.
    I couldn’t concentrate. No matter how hard I tried, it was impossible to focus on the words on the page.
    I went downstairs to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen. The house was empty. Both Yasmine and Kaitlyn were on dates, which left me home alone. Water in hand, I walked onto the back patio and surveyed the lawn. Brian and his crew did a great job. Thinking of that day brought back the memory of watching him hard at work without a shirt. Tiny shivers ran along my skin. Whether or not he cut our grass again, the image would remain imprinted on my mind for months.
    I shielded my eyes and peered up at the cloudless sky. Another typical California day. The heat was bearable, nowhere as intense as it would be back home. It was the perfect day to be outside doing something fun.
    Like riding the Ferris wheel with a friend.
    Brian’s invitation tempted me. His confident eyes and picture-perfect smile were hard to forget. Hanging out with him for the day would be more fun than sitting around the house continuing to read a book I could not focus on.
    A day spent with no strings, no commitment, no expectations, and no sex. Just two adults enjoying each other’s company in a public setting. After all, in order to become friends, you needed to spend time together.
    He’d be there. I’d show up. That’s it.
    I headed upstairs, grabbed my phone, and sent him a text message. Deciding what to wear should not been hard, yet I found myself unable to decide on shorts or jeans. I didn’t want to wear the same thing twice.
    Five minutes passed with no reply. Could he have changed his mind about going? Or worse, found someone else willing to jump at the opportunity to spend the afternoon with him? Maybe I shouldn’t have waited to decide.
    I grabbed my phone and flopped onto the bed unable to ignore the pain of disappointment. I was about to send a message to cancel when my phone chimed.
    glad u changed ur mind. c u there .
    An unexpected feeling of warmth spread through me from head to toe.
     

Chapter 10
     
    c. u. n. 5
    No, I wasn’t dreaming. She was actually here.
    When Ebony refused my invitation, I scrapped the idea of going to the Pier and dedicated the day to practice. My phone had been set on vibrate in order to avoid distractions. I didn’t see her message until I stopped to take a break.
    And now, I waited with tickets in hand, unable to