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Patrick’s face turned a bright shade of red. “Rory, that’s crossing a line.”
It definitely was, but I wanted to be as open and as honest as I could. Especially since it was something Patrick should know, in case he ever wanted more children. He needed to know I wasn’t the woman to grant such a desire. I squeezed Patrick’s thigh, which was in primo shape as far as I could tell, to let him know I was okay. “I have a condition that makes it nearly impossible to conceive.” I didn’t need to go into all the gory details about how I was a sperm killer.
“That’s sad,” Bridgette whispered to herself.
I turned and gave her my attention. She promptly turned away from me. I did my best not to let it get to me, but I had to admit it stung a little. I knew I would never do anything to come between Patrick and his children. I would walk away if I had to.
“Honestly, it has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with. But I’m lucky I have my nephew.”
Patrick brushed his thumb across my skin in a comforting manner. I so badly wanted to know what he thought of everything I had said, but I knew those questions would have to come later when we were alone.
“Any more questions?” I asked Rory.
“I’m good.” He popped a sushi roll in his mouth.
“I have one.” Bridgette whipped her head toward me, her jaw clenched.
I held my breath, waiting for her to hit me with her best shot.
“Are you going to hurt my dad?” she choked out, unable to stop the emotion behind those words. Her thin body shook as she waited for my reply.
For as much as she seemed determined not to like me, I didn’t fault her. In fact, I had this overwhelming desire to reach out and comfort her, like I knew that’s exactly what she needed. I hurt for her.
Such pain swirled in her eyes.
It was then I knew it wasn’t me she hated. The question was, who did she hate? Who was she truly protecting her father from?
I restrained myself from physically reaching out to her. “Bridgette,” I spoke her name as I would someone who was dear to me. “The honest answer is yes.”
Her eyes blazed before she let me finish.
“Unfortunately, all relationships come with hurt. As humans, we make mistakes. I promise you this, though: I will always do my best to never intentionally hurt your father. And when I fail, as I’m bound to do, I will make amends and try to do better.”
The muscles in her face relaxed, and the fire in her eyes died down a bit, yet it was apparent I had only chipped away a few stones of the walls she had up. She spared me one more glance before reaching for a sushi roll.
Patrick kissed my cheek and spoke low in my ear, “Thank you. Please don’t give up on us.”
The way he pleaded struck me. Had Nina given up on them? One thing I wasn’t, and that was a quitter. But I had a feeling I was going to need a sledgehammer to knock down the walls around this family. I guess it was a good thing I specialized in renovations. The question was, how could I help renovate this family?
“YOU SEEM SHAKEN.” CHARLOTTE PLUGGEDher phone into the sound system. We’d just finished sliding, and now it was dance party time before Jameson went to bed.
“Dinner was interesting,” I responded.
“How so?” Charlotte was more than eager to know.
“I get the feeling all isn’t right with them.”
“Like they’re crazy?” Charlotte was concerned.
“Not like that. I mean, no crazier than us. You saw how I looked at the grocery store today.”
Charlotte tried not to laugh. Which was good, considering her wedding of the decade was to blame. And George. I was so having words with George the next time I saw him. For now, he was purposely avoiding my calls. He only texted to say,You’re welcome.Charlotte and I shouldn’t have gotten him a smartphone and taught him how to text.
“I mean like they’re hurting.”
“Well, their mom died.”
“I kind of get the feeling that Nina wasn’t mom-of-the-year material.”
