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I stare at her for a couple of seconds. "She's your younger sister, right?"
"Yeah," she nods.
"She sounds absolutely completely irresponsible and she doesn't sound like a fit mother." Her face pales at my words. "I'm sorry. I hate to say it, but what sort of mother leaves her kids with her sister and just expects the sister to be okay with it?" So much for me keeping my big mouth shut.
"Because it's me. She knows I love them."
"Because you’re an awesome human being, but you have to pursue your dreams as well. You can't put your life on hold because of your niece and your nephew."
"My family always comes first." She blinks at me. "Always. The people in my life matter to me and I will always be there for them. I've made mistakes in the past." She looks down and I can see that she's about to cry. I’ve struck a nerve and I feel like absolute shit. I shift uncomfortably as her words hit me. Her family comes first with her. Such easy words to come out of her mouth, yet they feel so foreign.
My family feels like we are oceans apart. I’ve always known I never came first with my parents. Never. They certainly wouldn’t have given anything up to help me live my dreams. What she’s doing is extreme and ridiculous and yet, it’s touching. It showcases her soul more than anything ever could have. Zara Hathaway is a good person. And I’m damn lucky to have met her. She may single handedly restore my faith in humanity. The idea is unlikely, but I’d quite like to see if she could try. Not that I want anything more from her than what we currently have though.
I touch the side of her shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?"
She blinks rapidly and nods. It looks like she is about to cry and for one moment I think about calling the whole thing off. I don’t want to be another person in her life using her for my own interests. "Yeah, I'm fine. I've just learned in life that you don't judge others. You don't make decisions based upon bad decisions that you think they've made." She stares at me. "Life is about being there for the people that you love, no matter when or where."
"I think that's admirable but when people take advantage of you."
"Please stop." She shakes her head. "Luke and Charlotte are my niece and my nephew and I will always be there for them. Elise is my sister and she makes me angrier than anyone has ever made me in my life. And I agree with you to some extent. She's not a great mom, but she's young and she's irresponsible, and that's partly my parents' fault for spoiling her. But I can't kick her out. I can't cast her aside because I don't know what will happen to her. And I don't know what would happen to my niece and nephew if I did."
"Hey," I say. "I'm not judging you. I promise I'm not judging you." I clear my throat. I’m going to call this whole thing off. “I think that maybe we should?—.”
“To be honest, I think that maybe this will be fun.” Her expression changes and a light enters her eyes. “I mean I’ve always wanted to go to the Hamptons and I’m about to get the most expensive ring in the store. What girl wouldn’t want that?”
“Are you sure about that? Or are you just saying that?” I wait for her response. “Because?—.”
“Don’t tell me you think my poor acting skills are going to let you down?” She teases me. “Are you trying to back out of our deal, Mr. Pruitt?”
“Only if you want me to.”
"No, I’m fine. Like I said, it will be a welcome change from my life. I hope.” She giggles. “But I am not sure if I can come this weekend," she continues. "I’m not sure if Elise will be back by then or not."
"And what about your friend Lila? I can pay her to look after the kids if you want. You said she no longer has a job, right? The play was canceled?" I resist the opportunity to make a joke asking if Lila is another bad actress.
She nods slowly, a look of concern crosses her face. "I feel so bad for Lila because she really thought this was going to be her big break, but the play sucked.” A loud giggle escapes her throat and I wait for her to explain what’s so funny. However, she shakes her head slightly and pressed her lips together before continuing. “Let's just play it by ear and see. Is that okay?"
"That’s fine." I say softly. I can tell she's passionate about her family and friends and that strikes a chord in me because the only person I've really cared that much about is Ethan and maybe my grandparents. I take a deep breath. "Shall we look at rings?"
"I mean, sure," she grins wickedly. "If you said, I've got no budget I’m going to get the ring my sister Elise would get." She winks at me. “I hope your heart is strong and your bank account is large.”
“That’s what she said.” I wink back at her and wiggle my eyebrows and she hits me in the shoulder.
“You’re such a boy, Jackson.”
“A very large boy that wants you to spoil yourself. Why don't you treat yourself to a necklace, earrings and a diamond bracelet as well?"
"What?" She looks at me like I’m crazy. "No, that's too much."
"I want you to get whatever you want. Don’t tell me you’ve never wanted anything from Tiffany’s?"
"Well, there is one thing I'd like, but you don't have to get it. I mean I can get it myself. Maybe not now, but-"
"What is it?"
"There is this silver bracelet with a heart and a lock and a key, and I've always kind of wanted one, but I've never really had the money."
"Then we'll get it," I say softly. "You've always dreamed about that, huh?"
