Free Impossibly Forever: Two Books in One (Impossibly Duology) by Shane Morgan Page A

bit before adding, “At least, I hope you’ve realized that by now.”
        
I nodded. Then, glancing away from his penetrating gaze, I whispered, “I can
see that.”
        
Branden released my hand and moved closer beside me on the bench. “What are you
so afraid of? Has someone hurt you before?” he asked with great concern.
        
I looked up at him suddenly, taken off-guard by his question. There was a
feeling deep inside my heart, telling me it was safe to open up to him. “I
was,” my voice came out almost inaudible. “I…um…”
        
With patient eyes, Branden stared at me, listening keenly for what I was trying
to say. I couldn’t. The trust I found myself developing for him just wasn’t
deep enough to share the part of me that I kept hidden. The hurt I kept buried.
      
Shaking my head, I said, “I can’t.”
      
Branden nodded, showing me that he understood I still needed time.
        
We didn’t utter another word to each other up until Branden left me at my house
and took the taxi back to the Inn where his family was spending the night. Not
sure what, but it felt like more of me had come undone for him. There was
definitely something growing between us.
     
    ***
     
    Light
flickered through the window from the living room as I entered my house. Momma
was home from work. She liked watching television in the dark.
      
“Moya?” she called out the second I walked through the front door.
      
“Yeah, Momma, it’s me,” I replied, gliding into the room to sit down on the
crimson sofa beside her.
      
“Hey, baby girl,” she greeted me, rubbing my arm as I placed one of the
yellow-orange, striped accent pillows on my lap.
      
Slipping off my shoes, I settled my bare feet on the warm carpet and made
myself more comfortable. “How was work?” I asked,
      
Momma brushed back my curls as she said softly, “Not bad. It was a good day.
Went out with Nessa?” she asked.
      
I kept my eyes away from hers and on the television, where she was watching an
episode of Scandal. I didn’t want to tell her about Branden. There wasn’t
anything to tell. Not yet. Not until I sorted out whatever it was that I’d
suddenly started to feel for him.
      
“No,” I said, glancing back at her. “Just went out for a walk by myself.”
      
Momma leaned her head while regarding me with concern in her eyes. She reached
over and squeezed my hand. “Is there something bothering you?” she asked.
“People usually go for walks when they have a lot on their minds.”
      
I smiled to reassure her. “No. There’s nothing. I just needed some air.”
      
She relaxed her gaze on me then, gracing me with the heartwarming smile I loved
so much. “Well, if you ever want to talk, I’m here, baby girl.”
      
I nodded in a way to say ‘I know’.
      
Getting even more at home, I sat cross-legged on the sofa as I watched the rest
of the show with Momma.
      
It went to commercial break, and immediately Branden popped up in my head. I
wondered why he hadn’t asked for my number yet. Then again, I hadn’t exactly
indicated to Branden I’d want to give him my number, when I’ve been so
apprehensive about going on a date much less. Still, he seemed so troubled
tonight. Something was obviously bothering him. Argh, why was I doing this
again? Why couldn’t I snap out of it?
      
I should clarify my feelings. I needed to.
      
Scandal came back on and I zapped out of my thoughts. Then, I noticed Momma
glancing back and forth from the television to me, almost like she wanted to
say something. After hearing an exhausted sigh and seeing how her body tensed
up, I had to ask, “Is everything all right, Momma?”
      
She quivered, surprised. “Of course, everything’s fine.” Her enthusiasm wasn’t
natural. If anything it seemed like she was forcing to appear cheerful when she
really wasn’t.
      
Momma got up, tightened her head wrap and made sure her long curls were all
tucked