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“I’m glad she’s finally moving on with her life. It’s painful how she always followed him around all the time. Declan Mills will never love her like she loves him.”
Tears pricked Bree’s eyes and her ears drummed. But she didn’t miss Fi’s response.
“I know. I feel sorry for her. Just look at Ronan, I—”
Caitlin interrupted Fianna and said, “There’s nothing wrong with the Mills family. You had a bad experience with Ronan. We get it. Now, get over it. Declan has nothing to do with his twin stepping out on you. He’s a good man and a good fit for Bree. It’s time to let it go, Fi.”
“I don’t hate all Mills men. I work for Duncan at his dojo, and he’s great. And I love Pops. But Ronan? I still hate him,” Fianna said.
“Shocking. Never would’ve guessed,” Gwenn said.
Bree couldn’t believe that’s the way people talked about her when she left the room. She felt like a fool. But Dec rejected her last March. So to a point, her family was right to question his love for her.
She’d wanted to tell her mother and sisters tonight she was trying to work things out with Declan. But as she stood there, hiding in the hallway from her family’s judgmental remarks like a scared little kid, she knew she’d done the right thing to take things slow.
She just needed a few more weeks to be absolutely certain of his love for her. And then she would tell her family.
She entered the living room and Cait gave Bree an apologetic smile. Bree returned her smile and sat down next to Gwenn. Gwenn bumped her shoulder to Bree’s arm and whispered in her ear, “Just another hour. We’re almost halfway through.”
Bree couldn’t suppress her giggle quick enough and Joan cleared her throat.
“Gwenn. How’s sleeping on Bree’s couch working out for you?”
“It’s fine, Mom.”
Bree wondered how Gwenn’s night had been last night at Cait’s apartment. Gwenn often woke up in the middle of the night because of her nightmares. It’s the reason why she wanted to take the couch. So she wouldn’t wake Bree.
Joan tapped a long, red fingernail against her chin. “Hmm. And work?”
“What about work?” Bree felt Gwenn stiffen next to her.
“Well, how about finding a job so you can support yourself? I didn’t raise you to profit from your sister’s hospitality.”
Bree didn’t stand up to her mother as often as she’d liked, but considering it was Bree’s hospitality she’d mentioned, Bree said, “Gwenn can live with me until we’re both ninety and senile.”
Kera laughed and shook her head. Bree jutted her chin to her mother to come with another spiteful remark.
Normally, Bree would swallow her pride because she knew her mother meant well, and she had their best interest at heart.
But when Joan opened her mouth, Bree quickly added, “I love having Gwenn at my place. She’s my sister. I’d like to think you would be happy to see your daughters taking care of each other.”
Joan waved a hand in the air. “Pff. I’d rather see Gwenn grow up. She may be the youngest, but she can’t stay forever with you and hide out for the rest of the world.”
“I’m right here, Mom. Stop talking like I have no say in this.”
“Well, it’s your sister’s couch. So, it’s up to Bree to give you a kick under your butt, isn’t it?”
Bree glanced over at Gwenn, who pulled her long, brown hair into a ponytail. It was Gwenn’s tell she was fed up. Her eyes shot daggers at Joan. Gwenn was about to say her piece, but Joan missed these signs and continued her rant.
“Didn’t I teach you girls to never rely on anyone? To be self-sufficient? Have you even looked for a job, Gwenn?”
Gwenn stood from the sofa and flung her arms wildly in the air. “I may be fucked in the head, but looking at you, I realize my deployment is only half to blame. You’re toxic. And I’m leaving.”
Gwenn pulled Bree from the couch. “And Bree’s coming with me.” Gwenn tugged Bree on her way to the door. A bit stunned at being manhandled, Bree waved her sisters goodbye over her shoulder.
“Think about how you treat your daughters next time you’re home for the first time in months. Welcome home, Joan.” Gwenn said.
Joan winced when Gwenn didn’t call her Mom. Gwenn had just put Joan into the same category as Rob, their absent father. Joan stood from her seat and strode over to the front door where Gwenn and Bree pulled on their coats.
