Hearing that made me feel sick to my stomach. “How awful.”
“It is.”
I smoothed a lock of hair off Annie’s cheek, then smoothed the comforter, tucking it closer to her shoulders. “It’s late. Let’s get some sleep.”
“Good night, Mom.”
I leaned over to kiss her forehead. “Night, my love.”
She turned over onto her side like she always did. I turned off the lamp, but not before I took hold of the book. This was getting returned tomorrow. I’d demand a full refund and an explanation as to what would possess a man to suggest it to a fifteen-year-old girl.
As for Seraphina and her betrayal? That one was more complicated. The five of us loved one another’s children almostas much as we loved our own. Choosing to take her to the meeting was out of a place of love. I knew that without a doubt. Yet, keeping it from me. Telling me the kids were just having a regular hangout at their bonfire when really she was going to a meeting and then buying a book meant for adults? That was something I couldn’t just look past. I’d have to confront her about it or it would fester until it was a tangled mess inside of me, and when that happened I tended to strike out in ways that would ruin our friendship. That could not happen. Because, no matter what, Seraphina was my chosen family and nothing could pull us apart. Still. I was mad. But knowing myself as I do, I didn’t text or call when the anger boiled fresh and hot. Tomorrow I would wake more rational. At least I hoped I would.
4
DORIAN
I’d just put away a new shipment of books when Delphine Delacroix strode into my shop. Hot. Not the pretty kind of hot, but the super angry kind. She was dressed for work, in a pair of black slacks paired with a sleeveless knitted blouse, and impossibly high black pumps. Her hair bounced around her shoulders, gleaming under the lights. That hair was a temptress. My fingers twitched with a desire to run them through the long, silky strands that smelled of lilacs. I’d been seated next to her at the last dinner party at Gillian and Alex’s. I’d kept catching whiffs that made me feel a little dizzy.
“Hi, Delphine. What can I do for you?”
She raised one eyebrow as she reached into a large bag hanging on one toned arm. “What in the world were you thinking? Selling my daughter this book? It’s completely inappropriate. I want a full refund and an explanation as to your thought process.” She slammed the book down on the front desk, then turned to glare at me.
I blinked and took a step backward. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize she’d come in for it. I don’t work in the evenings. That said, I didn’t think it was something I needed your permission for. It’s not like it’s erotica.”
That seemed to anger her further. “You sell erotica in this store?”
“Um, no. That was just an example of what I would consider off-limits for a fifteen year old. This, on the other hand, is a beautifully written book about grief. Which has provided me a lot of comfort. Also, I didn’t suggest the book to her. I mentioned it in our group.” I stopped myself. She didn’t know about the group. Great. I’d just betrayed Annie’s trust. She’d specifically said to keep it to myself.
“I know she went to the meeting, so you can stop looking like that,” Delphine said.
Like what?
“I’m sorry.” I pushed the urge to fight with her down deep, even though she had irked me.
She shook her head just slightly in ahe’s an idiottype of way. “I would have expected a phone call from you afterward, telling me she’d been there.”
“I didn’t think it was my place. In fact, it’s not my place.”
“Not your place?”
“I mean, I don’t know either of you that well, and it seems kind of …” I trailed off, trying to think of what to say.
“It seems kind of what?” Delphine crossed her arms over her chest, the large bag still hanging from one wrist so that it looked a bit like a shield.
“Like none of my business.” I put a hand up. “Regardless, I am very sorry if I misstepped by not calling you. I had no idea you would react so strongly. Although, I might have guessed, since it was Seraphina who took her.”
I inwardly cringed at the wave of pain I saw at the mention of Seraphina.
“I cannot believe she went to that meeting without telling me or that Seraphina did it behind my back. Do you know what Annie said to me? She knew I would say no. Which is classic.”
“Classic?”
“Classic kid stuff. Do it and beg for forgiveness later.”
“For what it’s worth, Annie was extremely brave at the meeting.”
“Did she talk?” Delphine asked, blinking.
