“I’m not sure she will.”Mom’s expression was woebegone.“I cannot like all these new people being introduced to Bella.It feels like we’re saying goodbye to our little girl.”
Gen nodded even as her heart twisted at those last three words.Mom might’ve considered Bella to be like her child—at one stage, in the very early days after they’d learned of Gen’s pregnancy, Mom had even suggested that she could raise Bella as her own—but Bella was Kyle’s daughter.He had some rights, even if they might not yet be officially recognized in a court of law.
She sucked in a steadying breath.She still couldn’t believe just how gracious he was being about all of this.He wasn’t being insistent, he wasn’t demanding to get his own way.He still seemed happy to follow Gen’s lead, and she had the impression that he would continue to fight for her rights to lead even in the face of his parents’ opposition.Well, his mom’s at least.David seemed as easygoing as his son.She was so grateful for the two of them.It made it so much easier to deal with Philippa and her own mom, along with all the stress that was the stupid peer review and inquiry at work.
She shuddered.“Bella is growing up, and I guess we both just have to get used to the fact that things will change.We can’t wrap her in cotton wool forever.”
“Hmph.”
Later, she got in bed, and saw her phone had a text message.
Kyle.Of course.
Hey, thank you for tonight.I know it wasn’t easy at times.
Bella had fun.That’s the main thing.
I’m glad.
Hey, can you talk?
She presumed he meant on a phone call, and suddenly she really wanted that.Tonight had felt like trying to tiptoe around potential land mines, and she and he had barely spoken to each other.Yes,she typed back.
A second later, her phone was ringing.
She answered it, and closed her eyes.“Hi.”
“Hi.”
Oh, why did the timbre of his voice still have the ability to warm her heart?It would be so much easier if she didn’t feel this sense of attraction toward him.She’d like to not like him, especially considering all the drama and changes he’d brought to her world.But his stubborn niceness refused her to resent him.
“I mean it,” he said.“Thank you for allowing Bella to meet my parents today.”
“I don’t think you gave us much choice.”She winced.She hadn’t meant to sound quite like that.
“If I overstepped, I’m sorry,” he said, after a moment.“I really didn’t want you to feel put out.”
“I’m sorry.I’m tired, that’s all.And it was a nice night, thank you.”
“I’m not surprised you’re tired.I felt drained trying to keep my mom on the straight and narrow so she’d behave herself.I’m glad I don’t have to keep doing it anymore, seeing my folks aren’t staying here.”
“Where are they staying?”
He mentioned the name of Seattle’s most expensive hotel.“Mom prefers it there, says there are less homeless people for her to have to avoid.”
“I’m surprised your parents aren’t staying at your vacation home.”
He groaned.“Look, I really didn’t know she was going to say that.I’m so sorry if that put you in an awkward position.”
“If?”
“Gen, I don’t think she meant to make anyone feel bad.She’s just a little thoughtless sometimes.”
Her indignation eased a mite.“My mom can be the same.”
“We probably all can be the same at times.I know that I can,” he admitted.
“Me too,” she whispered.
