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Nodding, I exhale. “I have South taking me. He was going to tail me, but I will have him drive me there.”
“Good idea. I want you to keep me in the loop. I’m not going to tell anyone, but I want to be able to help you should you need it.”
I reach out, wrapping my arms around his large body, and hold tight. “Thanks, Hoodoo. I appreciate this.”
“We all love you, Ingrid. You’re gonna get through this.”
I pull back and weakly smile. “I better get back in there, or they’ll think we’re having an affair.”
Hoodoo chuckles. “An affair with a younger man, Ingrid? You would never,” he jokes, turning and walking off.
My mind instantly goes straight to South—amuchyounger man.
The idea of having something with South is both tantalizing and terrifying.
But I can’t think about him right now.
I have to be with Novah and celebrate the wins while we have them.
I’m going to be a grandmotheragain.
And I can’t fucking wait to meet these little angels.
Now, I have to make sure Iamhere to meet them.
Positive thinking, Ingrid. Positive thinking.
CHAPTER FIVE
South
The Next Day
My foot taps anxiously as I sit in the waiting room while Ingrid has her biopsy. I wanted to go in with her, hold her hand, and be the support she needs right now. But to keep everything sterile, I wasn’t allowed. And doing what’s best for her, I will sit back and wait—even if it’s fucking killing me.
My stomach rolls, thinking back to the first time I met Ingrid, the first time she placed her hand on my face.
Ingrid changed my life that day.
A day when I felt like my life wasn’t worth anything.
Like I didn’t matter.
And with one simple look, this incredible woman made me feel like maybe I could be something—be someone.
Panting rapidly, the anger seeps through my veins like a rabid beast, but the pain is eating at my soul.
As I lash out again at the cause of my unending pain—my sister—Ingrid steps in and places her hand on my face, forcing me to look at her.
“Rome, look at me,” she urges calmly.
Her tone is so soothing I have no choice but to exhale, slowly placing the trophy down. Our eyes lock, and somehow, this older woman feels more like home to me than the people I call my family.
Ingrid nods with a small smile. “You’re okay. You’re going to be okay… I promise.”
I can’t help but stare at her. She’s the only person who has ever shown any type of care for me… ever. I don’t know why she put herself out there for me, but the connection to her was instant. And I knew the bond was going to last a lifetime.
It may not be now, but I will see her again.
