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“You always said she was a nice girl.”
“And she was.” Mom throws her arms up in the air.
“That didn’t make her the right one for you. You got along well enough, but there was always something missing. There’s a reason most people don’t marry their high school sweethearts, but she saw your potential and clung like cellophane.”
“Mom, why didn’t you say anything?” I whisper.
“What was there to say? You’ve always been hardheaded, and whenever I tried to point out problematic behavior or weigh in on issues you were bringing to me, I understood you needed a safe place to vent, not advice.”
“I wanted what you had with Dad so bad it blinded me. Then we had Brax, and all that mattered was making things work in the long run.”
“I don’t need to be here for this,” Daph mummers.
“Yes, you do. Because I’m not letting you go or keeping secrets from you. To be with me is to be involved in Brax’s life.” I met her gaze, unsure for the first time about how she plans to respond. Maybe I’m expecting too much. “Or we could put this all on hold. You asked for space earlier. Consider this me listening. Mom, I’m going to contact my lawyer, and then I’d like to pick your brain about a few things.”
Ignoring the irritation and sadness in my mother’s eyes, I leave the kitchen bound for the office. This was how I’d gotten into trouble before, seeing things as I wanted them to be. She has to make her peace with what exists between her and choose to be fully invested. Anything less won’t be made to last. We both deserve better than that.
Blocking out my heavy thoughts, I turn my attention to shoring my defenses. It’s the one thing I have control over right now.
SEVEN
Leaning back on the seat cushion, I take a sip of my Irish coffee and rock back and forth on the porch swing beside Fey.
“Not that you aren’t always welcome at the house, but your impromptu visit seemed inspired by the article I saw in the tabloids.”
“I knew that was coming.” I bow my head.
“Seems like things between the two of you are heating up.”
“They are.” I bite the inside of my cheek and breath out my nose. “But they shouldn’t be.”
“Why? You’re both single and attracted to each other.”
“It’s fast.”
“According to who?”
“Anyone with common sense.”
“He’s not exactly a stranger, Daph.”
“I take it you’re on his side.”
“I’m on the side of seeing two people I care about happy. And I think you could do that for each other. Am I wrong?”
“I don’t know. I spent all that time with James, and it ended in disaster. How am I supposed to trust my instincts? Let alone forget the hell he put me in.”
“When he was a kid, and so were you.” Fey places a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m not trying to convince you, Daphe. I’m acting as a sounding board. If your mind’s already made up, why are you distressed?”
“Because I’m worried I might be wrong.” I close my eyes.
“About?”
“What he and I should be doing. Trying to slow things down and leaning into fear of failure.” I curve both hands around the mug, gathering warmth from it.
“What does your gut say?” Fey asks.
