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Her hand flew to her chest. “I wouldn’t be angry with you if things were the other way around.”
“Maybe I want somebody who would be. At least I’d know she gave a shit.”
A sharp gasp escaped her. She straightened. “For the record, I do give a shit. But seeing how you’re acting now, maybe I’ll be better off in Paris.”
“Stay as long as you want. How about forever?” Anger pulsed through my veins, unstoppable.
“Maybe I will.”
“Do that.”
“Go to hell.”
“I’m already there.”
She stormed out of the barn, and everything I thought I knew about the future went out right along with her.
Chapter One
Juliana
Four Months Later
“This isthe place you raved about?”
Alfie wrinkled his nose as he looked out the window and saw nothing but brown dotted with the occasional green passing by.
“You don’t like Texas?” I fought a smile as I glanced over at the guy I’d grown close to on our study abroad.
“It’s not California.”
“Thank God for small miracles,” Dad said from the driver’s seat with a wink.
“Jeffrey,” my mother scolded.
“Thank you for having me, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.” Alfie knotted his fingers together in his lap. When he’d confessed to me he had no family to go home to for the holidays, I couldn’t let him be alone.
Mama turned around to look at him through the opening between the front seats. “We’re glad you’re here.” Her eyes drifted to me. “You too, missy. Thanksgiving wasn’t the same without you.”
“It’s good to be home.”
She patted my knee, eyes glassy. “Christopher wanted to come, but he had to study for his finals tomorrow.”
I smirked at the mention of my brother. “I’m sure he can’t wait to see his big sister. I know he’s just dying to share a room again.”
“He’s only complained the last week or so.” Dad glanced back at me in the rearview mirror, pure mischief on his face.
“It might’ve been two,” Mama deadpanned.
I snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“Honey, I hope you don’t mind sharing a room with those two.” She smiled at Alfie before her expression turned serious. “And don’t let my children try to stick you on the air mattress.”
“How’s Nana?” I interjected to take Alfie off the hot seat.
Her mouth pressed into a thin line. “About the same.”
Nana had come to live with us when I was in high school after she took a bad fall getting out of her tub. That was why my brother and I shared a room. Her broken hip, arm, and wrist had given her trouble ever since, even if she refused to admit it, and made it impossible for her to live by herself. I’d had to give up my bedroom, but having her around was worth it.
