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She shakes her head. “Cash is spiraling. He misses you. You guys need to sit down and talk. He deserves to know the truth.”
“Why? It won’t change anything. Him knowing who destroyed his life won’t change a damn thing.”
She shakes her head. “I disagree. Him knowing you weren’t the one who destroyed his life changes everything. He trusted you, Grace, and he thought you blew that all up just like our father did.”
I tap my fingers against my desk, irritated she won’t leave. “See, that’s the problem. Grownups have conversations when they get upset; they don’t let their past insecurities about their parents dictate how they deal with a partner. I am not your father, and I am most certainly not my mother. He chose to lash out at me, hurt me, and turn on me, rather than talk to me. And you feel bad now because you are partially to blame for poisoning him against me. I’m sorry that he’s sad. I’m sorry if he misses me. But I didn’t do this.”
Cat sighs. “You’re right.”
Although I’m surprised by her quiet admission, I don’t have it in me to gloat. I lift my eyes to the door, letting her know I’m done.
She ignores me and continues, “But being right isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And for the record, Grace, that’s not the truth I was talking about.”
Her eyes dip to my stomach again, and in that moment, I realize she knows. My mind races trying to figure out who would have told her. I can’t imagine Hayden would have betrayed me that way, but Jayishis brother.
“We’re having an engagement party at the house in Bristol on Saturday. Jay would really love it if you were there, and I know it would mean the world to my brother. And Grace, no matter what you say,” she says, her eyes dipping to my stomach again, “wearegoing to be family. I didn’t know you. I thought I did, but I didn’t, and I am very sorry for how I treated you. I have only ever wanted what was best for my brother, and I’m sorry that I didn’t realize that was you.”
Before she reaches the door, I stand up and blurt out, “We used to be friends…”
Cat’s eyes furrow.
I sigh, not really sure why I’m throwing her this bone. “My mom, my godmother, and your mother were best friends. I used to spend the weekends at your house with my godmother, Marion, and your mother when mine didn’t want me around.”
I’m quiet as I study her face. She leans against the door as if she needs the support. “You knew my mother?”
I nod. “Marion showed me some pictures she has from when we were kids. You and I were apparently quite fond of playing princesses together. And Barbies. I always loved Barbies.” I let out a little hiccupped laugh as a tear falls down my cheek. Damn pregnancy hormones. “If you want, I can bring the pictures to the engagement party…for you to see.”
“I don’t know anyone who knew my mom. She died when I was pretty young so none of my friends ever…” She looks away as she wipes a tear with the back of her hand. “I’d really like that, Grace. Thank you.” She holds my eyes, and in that moment, I wonder if the child I’m carrying will have my violet eyes, or Cash and Cat’s whiskey ones.
