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And none of it was any fun.
Except for Asher hopefully coming home today.
When five o’clock had come and gone yesterday, we all knew it would be another day at least until he was home. That probably added to my crappy mood last night.
“Why do I seem more excited about your new relationship than you do?” She frowned, sitting back in her chair.
“You’re younger than me, but you should still know this won’t last. Do you really think a guy like Nick will want to hang out with a girl like me? I’m surprised he didn’t go running off once he saw this house.” I nodded to the living room.
Giselle frowned at me. “It didn’t seem to bother him at all. He was really helpful with the baby. And he and I cleaned the kitchen while you were gone, too.”
I took another sip of my coffee but didn’t say anything to that.
Giselle was nice.
And she was also naïve.
She lowered her voice and stretched her hand across the table. It landed on mine. “He was really worried. I swear he asked me every fifteen minutes if he should go after you.” Her other hand landed on her heart. “It was so sweet.”
Her eyes looked so dreamy and hopeful.
Gosh, I really wished I could be like that.
Had I ever been like that?
“He overstepped. I don’t know what he was thinking. But anyway, I don’t have time to rehash all the things wrong with last night. I need to figure out bail,” I said, leaning my elbow on the table. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t let go of this horrible sense of dread.
Just when life seemed to ease up—bam—I’d get hit even harder.
Giselle tilted her head slightly. “Nick will pay, I’m sure.”
I let out a long sigh. “Asher is not his responsibility. He’s mine. And besides, I need bail for more than just him. You know that.” My stomach twisted and I felt bile rise in my throat. I knew what I had to do—but that didn’t mean I wanted to do it.
“No, no, no,” she whispered, a clear look of shock on her face. “None of that is your problem. Don’t you dare spend one red cent on those people.”
“I have to.” I wanted to cry and scream and curse the world for being so unfair.
But what would that accomplish?
Absolutely nothing.
I already knew this from the many crying jags I’d had in the last few months.
“No, you don’t. You’re doing enough. Leave them be,” she said, her eyes getting slightly teary as she spoke.
I shook my head and said, “I need to get back to work.” Again, my stomach roiled, knowing what I had to do.
“What?” she squeaked, letting go of my hand. “Nick already paid you. What are you talking about?”
“Even if I do keep it—which I won’t—that money will run out eventually. What am I supposed to do to feed everyone and keep the lights on?” Now my eyes were starting to tear up. Gosh, I hated acting like a big baby.
I was an adult—and I needed to act like one.
“I keep saying this, but why don’t you call Louise? I know she’ll be glad to help you guys out. I can’t understand why you haven’t already called her,” she said, her eyebrows raised and voice haughty.
She was right.
My best friend, Louise, was definitely the type to drop everything and come help us. But there was no way I was calling.
