Marked Heart (Marked Heart #3) Read Free Page A

to him. Everything with Mina was effortless.
    A slight giggle caused Braden to break their kiss and give Mina a questioning look.
    With an excited expression, she cheered, "I was just thinking, she can have you on Thursday's because now that you're laid-off and my rounds end at noon, we'll get to see each other every single day." He stared at her as she continued. "And, if your lay-off lasts too long, we can share an apartment."
    Braden started to respond but didn't get the chance. She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Wearing a wide smile she flicked her finger down the end of his nose and bounced out of his apartment.
    Braden stood there for a moment wondering if it was just him, or was that entire conversation incredibly strange. Shaking it off, he grabbed the beer off of the couch and set it in the freezer before taking his laundry with him to his room.
    ~
    On the way to Liv's, Braden couldn't help thinking about his conversation with Mina. A 'relationship' talk was yet to take place between them, other than the few times she asked if he was seeing anyone else. He wasn't and her constant enthusiasm led him to believe she wasn't either. Since he had decided, after things finally ended with his ex-girlfriend Lily, a serious relationship wasn't for him, he never put too much thought into it. After all, how could he, when he already wore another woman's mark.
    When he arrived at Liv's she was in the kitchen, swaying in front of her stove, moving her head and shoulders to the music only she could hear. Before he made it to the refrigerator, she turned and smirked at the eighteen-pack he was carrying. He flashed a wide grin at her and nodded before continuing to the fridge.
    That's how it was between them. They talked to each other, but sometimes it was unnecessary. Most of the time, he knew what she was thinking and it was the same for her. From the time that their friendship developed, Braden never stopped appreciating her. Mostly because he felt like no one else truly did. Penny, Charlotte, Seth and Auggie loved her of course, but they didn't see her like he did. And his cousin, Kieran who died without realizing how lucky he was to have her as his wife sure as hell didn't. It was the little things like a few years ago when she instituted beer and pizza night. Wearing wireless earbuds, because she hated quiet but knew hearing music in the house upset him, and her almost brutal honesty, in every situation. If she had something to say, she never held back. Liv was the most upfront person he'd ever known.
    Braden grabbed two beers and set them to the side before placing the other sixteen on the bottom shelf of Liv's refrigerator.
    Walking past him, Liv shared, "Pizza's almost ready."
    "Are you seeing anyone?"
    Turning to him, she gave a curious look, "Is that your business?"
    Handing her a beer, Braden replied, "You know what I realized today?"
    "That you're not as involved with my personal life as you'd like to be?" she asked with a smirk.
    Braden rolled his eyes and laughed before sharing, "Mina and I have been dating for almost a year.
    "You just realized that?"
    "When she said, 'We've been dating for almost a year,' I did."
    "Ha!" she blurted before informing, "Some boyfriend you are."
    "Right?"
    Braden started to laugh, then stopped as Liv's expression grew serious.
    "You wantin' to bail on Thursdays?"
    He gave a half-hearted smile noticing the apprehension in her blue eyes.
    "No."
    With a suspicious tone, she questioned, "You sure?"
    Knowing Thursdays were the only thing in his life he was sure about, Braden nodded.
    Liv continued to stare at him as she took the blue tooth earbuds out of her ears.
    "If I was her, I wouldn't want you coming here."
    Raising his eyebrows at her, Braden asked, "If you were seeing someone, would you let him come between us?"
    Her expression instantly changed as she let out a loud, "Ha!" and laughed, "You're not putting your commitment issues on me."
    Placing his hand across