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Whatever happened to Brooke wasn’t good. Was it more personal, like an ex cheating? “I’d never cheat on someone.”
Abby cringed. “It’s not that.”
What could be worse than cheating?
Abby shook her head. “Let’s just say that Brooke’s more vulnerable than she lets on. I won’t betray her by telling you.”
“You’re a good sister.” I was glad they had each other.
“We’ve always been close. Especially since Hunter’s dad,” it looked like she wanted to say more but settled for, “left.”
“Raising a child as a single parent is hard. I’m glad you have your family to support you. It’s why I moved here—to be closer to my parents.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
“Anytime you want to get the kids together, let me know.”
“I will.”
Driving home with Cammie, chatting away in the backseat, I couldn’t get Abby’s words out of my head.Brooke’s more vulnerable than she lets on.She’d always been so strong. Now I knew there was more to her. Layers I wanted to remove. I just hoped she’d let me.
When we arrived home, my parents were just unpacking the car. I rushed to help, telling them to go inside and take a break. Cammie followed them inside, relaying the details about her night with Hunter.
When my parents’ luggage was in their room, Cammie asked to play video games, and I agreed.
“You let Cammie stay overnight at someone’s house?” Mom asked.
It wasn’t something I’d even considered before. “It was Brooke’s sister. I trusted her.”
I couldn’t admit to my parents that I had an ulterior motive for being alone. And I could never look at the island counter without remembering Brooke laid out on it like a feast.
“It sounded like it went well,” Dad said.
“Hunter’s a good kid. His mother, Abby, is doing it on her own, too.”
“Grandpa, come on,” Cammie called from the basement.
“Duty calls,” Dad said, heading downstairs.
“Is there something going on with Hunter’s mom?” Mom asked when Dad left.
I huffed out a laugh. “Definitely not.”
“Why not? You said she’s single, and so are you.” Mom knew I struggled with guilt for working so much. Something that hadn’t bothered me as much when Cammie was with her mother. I knew she wasn’t missing out on anything, but everything was different.
I didn’t want to lie to my mom, though. “Brooke was here. We spent some time together.”
Mom’s eyes widened. “Brooke, Liz’s daughter?”
“Yeah, the one who owns Java Coffee.”
“I haven’t talked to Liz in a long time. What’s going on between you and Brooke?” Mom turned to the stove, where she had a kettle of water boiling to make tea.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I like her, but she has reservations.”
“I can see why she’d be reluctant—with your stores.”
I rested my hand on the counter. “Is it stupid to pursue something?”
