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Their decision to keep us apart was wrong and the ghosts of the past can’t haunt us forever. They could have ruined our lives and it’s time we stopped paying the price.
Sorry, Dad. You can’t control everything, and suppressing information is not the way to do things.
“You didn’t guide me.” Amber liquid spills when I slam the crystal tumbler on the polished table, but I make no move to clean it. “Both families manipulated us, making us feel ashamed and guilty.”
“Luca, we only want what is best for our children.” Mom sniffs back tears. “We tried to protect you.”
A layer of ice wraps around my heart. Protect us?Bullshit.They were only protecting themselves.
Getting up, I grab my coat from the back of the chair. “We respected your wishes and stayed apart, but you know what hurts?” I can't continue with the charade of pretending to be a happy family for Christmas. I need time to think, but I can’t do that under their scrutiny.
“You didn’t trust us enough to tell us.” I stride out of the room with a curt “Goodnight.”
“Luca!” Mom calls out, but her voice is barely audible behind the thick mahogany door.
Sorry, Ma. You should have paid attention to what was going on. You can’t keep us apart, but you will end up losing us.
I stomp to the car without a backward glance. I’ll atone for my part in this mess as soon as I figure out how, but I don’t need them in my life anymore.
I only need Audrey.
Ten
AUDREY
“Wow. That’s unexpected.” I stare at my sister in disbelief. “You’re not kidding, are you?” Our parents will be heartbroken when she tells them she’s moving to the mountains to work for an artist.
“Nope. I’ve got a one-way ticket.” Her eyes twinkle with pride. “What did you want to tell me? Is it about Luca?” she asks with a mischievous grin.
My heart clenches. Telling my parents about Luca will be even tougher in light of Ivy's news. It’ll come as a double blow since I'm defying their wishes, but Luca is my priority. I need to make the right decision for us.
“Why are you asking about him?”
“Because… I wondered how long you two could hold out at work before getting together.” She pins me to the spot with a penetrating gaze. “It was only a matter of time.”
She makes it sound simple, and a weight lifts from my shoulders. “Yes, we are together,” I admit. “But we’re not telling everyone until tomorrow night.”
“I admire you.” She smiles.
“For what?”
“The way you always put others first,” she says.
She means it as a compliment, but the comment hits me like a punch in the gut. I hate conflict and do everything I can to avoid it. “I don’t know about that, Ivy. I’m a coward.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s more like the curse of the oldest sibling, right?” My sister’s voice is gentle. “You did a better job of following the rules than me.”
I’m happy my sister’s following her heart and found her direction. But if she relocates to the mountains and I move away with Luca, I’ll miss her like crazy.
“Thanks, honey.” I hug her before I burst into tears and ruin my mascara. “Come on, we better go check on the food.”
We’ve been talking in her room for so long I’ve lost track of time. I need to finish up and get back to Luca’s before he wonders where I am.
Ivy and I link arms and saunter to the kitchen. We gave Mom the night off, so she and Dad went for a drive, but they’ll be home soon.
We’re halfway down the stairs when my sister pinches her nose. “Phew, what’s that smell?”
The acrid stench hits my nostrils. “Oh no,” I wail, waving my hand to clear the air. “Mom’s going to kill us.”
