Page 196 of Her Wicked Plan

“She sure does,” I agree.

Leaning forward, Carter places the drawing next to my mother’s shoulder. “I love you, Grandma.”

Fuck. How am I supposed to hold the tears back now? A few drops cascade down my face, and when Carter turns in my arms, he lifts his little hands to my face.

“Don’t cry, Uncle Leo.” The little boy comforts me as he wipes away a tear. “She’s going to have fun in Heaven.”

“I know she will, bud.” I nod and kiss his forehead.

Setting him down, he runs back to Chloe and hugs her as people approach us. When I returned, the spot between my father and Chloe was still waiting for me. On the other side of my sister, Myles stands close. When my eyes drop, I see him holding Carter’s hand.

For a moment, contentment fills my body, knowing that Myles will take care of both of them if the time ever comes to it—if they ever become a couple.

Most men would hate for their best friend and sister to be together, but they don’t have Myles as a friend. If he can make my sister happy in the darkest of times, then he deserves her.

People make their way down the line, hugging each of us as they mutter the apologies meant for a funeral. In their voices, I can tell they mean it. That is how loved my mother was. These guests who have come here to pay their respects genuinely loved my mother for who she was and all the kind things she has done.

Dad doesn’t shed another tear. Not in front of everyone. He allows them to fall in the privacy of our house, in his bedroom.

The door always shut, but ever since Mom passed, I can hear the muffled crying on the other side. She said he was stubborn and wouldn’t show his emotions after she died.

I wish she could see how wrong she was.

He lost his best friend. His soulmate. The love of his life.

I couldn’t imagine being that enamored by someone to lose them at the hands of an unfair death.

The word love sticks in my mind like glue. I said those words to Scarlet, the memory returning to me at the worst moment.

When I threatened her, I said that I loved Veronica. I’m not sure when it happened. I just know it had. I didn’t want to admit it to myself because of the circumstances.

How can one fall in love with a monster?

How can a person of light fall for the darkness?

Love is tricky in those ways. Sometimes, it hits you hard, while other times, it sneaks up on you and slams right into your heart.

That’s how it was with Veronica. What am I supposed to do about her? It’s not like we can be anything more than we already are. A relationship is out of the question.

Unless you run.

I tilt my head to the side, cracking the tension out of it and pushing the voice from my head.

It’s not an option. Right?

No, it’s not. I’m a vulnerable mess. The decision has been made, and I’m not turning around and second-guessing myself.

I was on autopilot with every guest, greeting and thanking them as they came to me while the thoughts were churning in my mind. After the last few guests, I push the idea of running out of my head as we take our seats. The pastor of the church our parents attend gives a nice speech.

Typically, it is said at every wake, but with it being my mother’s, he makes it more personalized. It is nice. Simple and sweet, it made my eyes glossy. None of the tears fall, and the moment the speech ends, my father stands up and walks to the podium.

There are no notes in his hands. He clasps them together, resting them on the surface of the wooden stand. His eyes glance at the audience, and familiar people stare back at him. His head turns slightly, looking at where my mother lies before we get his attention again.

“Believe it or not, when Jen and I first met, she was the stubborn one.” He laughs to himself while most of the guest cast a sad smile on their faces. “She was the most beautiful girl in our school. When I tried talking to her, she blew me off. Eventually, she came around, but when I started asking her to be my girlfriend, she said no. I can’t tell you how many times I asked her before she finally said yes.”

He blurs in my vision. A hand bumps my arm, and I find Chloe handing me a tissue I gladly take.

“After she said yes, we fell so in love that her stubbornness faded. She says that it left her body and took a claim of mine. I think it came naturally with old age.” Quiet laughter fills the room. “Jennifer was a light. Every room she entered radiated with the light within her. Every person who had the privilege of meeting her always left with a smile. Being in a bad mood was hard whenever she was near.”