Dumplin' (Dumplin', #1)

by Julie Murphy

I didn’t have it in me back then to pretend I felt good enough about myself to enter a beauty pageant.”

We’re not very religious, but going to church is part of Mom’s personality. It’s not even an act or anything, just her social outlet, I guess.

There are so many things that Lucy never did. Not because she couldn’t, but because she told herself she couldn’t and no one made her believe otherwise.

“But maybe Lucy wasn’t supposed to be your compass forever. Maybe she was there for you just long enough so you could learn how to be your own compass and find your own way.”

But the thought tickling in the back of my mind says that she’s not interested in being reminded of this body I wear.

“Don’t write me off so soon. There’s more. You’re a fire sign. You love big, but you hurt big, too. But you don’t always let the hurt show, because it’s a vulnerability. You’re the sun. Always there. Even when we can’t see you.”

He leans toward me and hooks his hands behind my ears, pulling me to him. Our lips brush, so light it tickles. But it’s not quite a kiss. “I want to kiss you. I want to kiss you very soon.” His words spill right into my mouth. “But I’m not going to mess us up this time.”