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She gazes at me as if I just spouted another head. “Wow, he rarely...”
“Opens up? I know.”
“If he acts a little secretive sometimes, don’t hold it against him. Please. It’s complicated.”
“Oh, I know... everything. You know, about his grandfather.”
Mel’s jaw drops. “Hetoldyou? Okay, things with you are more serious than I thought.” She presses a hand to her chest. “I’m so relieved he’s found someone he trusts. You’re a godsend, Grace.”
I’m slightly uneasy with that high praise. “Well, I’d just say that I lov—really care about him, so I’d never do anything to hurt him.”
Her little smirk tells me she heard my little slip-up. It isn’t that I’m trying to hide my feelings for Rowan; I just don’t want him to think I’m rushing our relationship.
“Well, now that we’ve got that settled...”
I chuckle.
“I know we just met, but do you mind if I unload on you a bit?”
“Not at all.” I gaze at her curiously.
“I feel guilty.”
“Why?”
“I keep pushing Rowan into trying to make amends with our parents. It isn’t fair to him because deep down, I know we can never be a normal family.” She gives me a sad smile. “I just can’t help trying, you know?” She huffs. “I’m so stupid for holding out hope that my father will stop being an abusive asshole and Rebecca will show me an ounce of motherly love.”
“I get it. Really. You’re not stupid. You’ve got a big heart and you’re optimistic. I can relate. I constantly tried to gain my family’s approval and affection, too, until it became too exhausting.”
“What did you do?”
I shrugged. “Moved a thousand miles away from them.”
Mel snickers and then cackles. “Good call.”
“I think so.”
After a beat of silence, she says, “I’m done. I won’t do this to Rowan anymore. He only ever sees James and Rebecca when I beg him to come to these ridiculous get-togethers. He’s always tolerated my father for my sake because he’s the best big brother a girl can ask for. He’s never treated me like just a stepsister. He came into my life one day and just... took care of me.”
I smile. Yeah, Rowan tends to do that—appear in one’s life and start looking out for them.
“Lord knows, my father was doing a piss-poor job after my mother died,” Mel continues.
“Of course, Rowan took care of you. You were just a baby when Rebecca married your father, right?”
She nods.
“I doubt he cares that you don’t share blood. He adores you.”
“I know, as I do him. And it’s timeIprotected him. I’m giving up on our parents. At their age, they’ll never change. I won’t put Rowan through another evening like this.”
I can’t even encourage her to not give up on her parents because even I can see that she’s right.
“You know what?” she says. “I have agreatfamily. My husband, my brother,” she rubs her belly, “and we’ll have a new addition soon.”
I smile and nod in agreement. Just then, Rowan and Kevin walk through the door.
“Are you ladies okay in here?” Kevin asks. He immediately walks over to Mel and places a hand over her stomach.
