If they knew how I really felt about Eleanor—and she about me—it would probably kill them.
That was exactly why I pasted on a smile and faced them. The instant I did, I wished I’d gone into the house instead.
I didn’t want to see my sister’s husband. Didn’t want to be witness to their gross affinity for public displays of affection.
As if she could sense what I thought, she shoved her hands into her husband’s hair and pulled his mouth to hers.
I probably hated her for this the most.
It wasn’t enough for her to steal him from me, but she just couldn’t resist any opportunity to rub my nose in it.
Itwasn’t even that I still had feelings for Bryce. Those died when I learned he’d cheated on me with my sister. It was the fact Eleanor was the first person I’d shared my feelings with, and she’d stabbed me in the back.
Done with them and the show they put on, I waltzed into the house to greet my dad. He was in his favorite recliner with Millie on his lap. She had the TV remote in her hand while he had the newspaper in his.
Relief washed over me. He looked good. So much healthier than three weeks ago when we brought him home after surviving a major heart attack.
“This looks fun. Mind if I join?”
My dad eyed me over the dark rim of his glasses, a wide smile on his face. “There’s always space on a dad’s lap for his little princess.”
“Not so little anymore, Dad.” Taking a seat on the armrest, I kissed his forehead.
His smile was so achingly sweet. “You’ll always bemylittle princess.”
He meant it too.
My sisters and I had a long list of things to be grateful for. Caring, wonderful parents right at the top. They’d been there for us, supported us, no matter what.
A sliver of guilt ran down my spine when I thought about the things I never told them. They didn’t know how Eleanor and Bryce got together. I’d told them it’d been over between us before the two of them had started dating. My parents, being the trusting people they were, believed me.
They had no idea—or at least I hoped they hadn’t—how Eleanor’s stupid digs whenever we had family lunch or dinners really got to me. And now they didn’t even know we could all lose the girl we loved so much.
There was something seriously wrong with me. There had to be. They had never, not once, given me a reason to think my feelings weren’t valid, and yet I kept them in the dark.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
My dad’s soft, concerned words jolted me back to the present.
Blinking a few times, I turned my attention to him and hoped like hell my smile didn’t look as fake as it was. “Just the long day catching up to me. I...uh... I think Millie and I should skip dinner tonight.”
Dad’s bushy brows drew together. “You sure that’s all it is? You look like you have the world on your shoulders, Princess.”
And then some. “I’m all good. Promise.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. Not that the truth was any better. Giving him another quick peck, I pushed to my feet and held out my arms for Millie. “Come on, Bug.”
“Ah,” she whined. “We’re leaving? We haven’t had dinner yet. Grandma Helen made your favorite.”
If it were any other day or even if Eleanor and Bryce weren’t there, Millie’s pout and big, sad eyes would have won me over. Unfortunately for us both, my need to lick my wounds in private was a bit stronger.
I wiggled my fingers, urging her to get off my dad’s lap. “I’m sure if we ask nicely, she’ll send some home with us.”
“But, Kate, I wanna stay, please.” Her bottom lip wobbled, and tears filled her eyes. “Grandpa promised we’d build a puzzle after dinner.”
“I did make that promise,” my dad chimed in, offering me absolutely no help at all.
I glared at him. He shrugged and grinned. Because he knew, he freaking knew, I’d lost this damn fight.
“All right,” I sighed. “We’ll stay.”
