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I smile. “I’m on it.”
She says, “I can make lunch, Cormac.”
“As can I. You sit. Relax. I’ve got this.”
She smiles. “Okay.”
Mission accomplished. I make the salads first, followed by the sandwiches. When I deliver them into the living room, all three are shocked. “I thought you two might like to eat while you watch your movie.”
“But you never let us watch tv when we eat,” Aiden says.
Franny whispers, “Don’t remind him!”
“It’s Sunday. Sundays should have fewer rules. Go ahead.” They eat, and I motion for Lily to follow me to the dining room, where the kids can’t really see us unless they sit at the far end of the couch.
Lily’s eyes widen when she sees the spread on the table. “Salad, bread, wine…what did I do to deserve all this?”
I pull out her chair for her. “You always deserve all this. I wish I always had the time to do it for you.”
She smiles. “Thank you.”
As we eat, I speak first. “Things have felt off since the night at your parents’ house. Is it that way for you, too?”
She sips her wine and nods. “I’m glad you’re bringing it up. Yes, definitely. I’m in my head about all of that. I’m sorry I haven’t been more present.”
“Are you angry with me?”
“No! Why would I be angry withyou?”
“I’ve felt like I did something wrong that night ever since.”
But she shakes her head. “Not at all. You handled it beautifully, truth be told.”
“Then what is it?”
Lily gets a far off look in her eyes. “I don’t want this to come out the wrong way, and I’m pretty sure that it will, but I’m going to say it, anyway. The night I helped with Clint was one of the best nights of my life. I got to help and everything that followed with you was…wonderful.”
“But?”
“But now, I can’t help but feel like that night was the beginning of the end for my parents, and the memory is muddled with a lot of guilt.”
“I see.”
Her lips smooth to a flat line. “Understand, I don’t regret that night, Cormac. What happened between you and me, and what’s happening now with us, I’m very happy. With us.”
I sigh. “But I’m the enemy.”
“You’re notmyenemy. Dad is very protective of the B&B—
“Understandably so.”
She nods. “And with the resort looming, I get why he’s so freaked out. It’s scary as hell for them. Which makes it scary for me. Now more than ever. Because of us. When it comes to the resort, I am simultaneously incredibly proud of you and absolutely terrified for my parents.”
“I’m guessingconflicteddoes not begin to describe how you feel.”
She huffs a laugh. “Got anything stronger than wine?”
“I do, but I thought sobriety might be a good thing for the conversation and considering the kids are in the other room.”
