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“Audrey, I’m so sorry.”
“No need to be sorry. You couldn’t have known.” I run my hand down her arm before giving her hand a light squeeze. “My mom was my best friend. I didn’t have many of those growing up, and when she died, I was lost. I was completely alone in the world.”
“Hey. What am I, chopped liver?” Love gasps in mock horror, clutching her chest for effect.
“Of course not, baby.” I roll my eyes at Love’s antics. “But my mom sent Bristol, then Leia and Selina, to help me through. And now those three are my family. I know they’d go to hell and back for Love and me. No questions asked.”
“Moral of the story is that you have my mom and me now, Jade. We’ll always be here for you and your dad. If you need anything, anything at all, you only need to call, and we’ll come running.”
“So, if I say I want homemade pancakes and sausage for breakfast tomorrow, you’ll come by and make them?” Jade looks over at me hopefully.
“I’ll ask you what time you’d like me to be here.”
“Mom makes the best pancakes.” Love smiles, throwing her arm over Jade’s shoulder and pulling her to her side. “We’re like a fungus. You’re never getting rid of us.”
“Good, because I don’t want either of you to ever leave.” Jade smiles before swatting Love on the butt. “Now, back to work.”
Love and I give her a mock salute before returning to our duties and getting started.
I meant every word I said to Jade about my friends.I’d never have made it through everything, after what happened to my parents, without Bristol. She’s been my rock through the tough times, as well as Leia and Selina. I may not have known them as long, but they are two of the best friends I could ever ask for. These three are my family; our bond is stronger than blood. We are the family that chose each other, and I hope Jade and Love will form a similar bond, as well.
“My dad really likes you, Audrey. Do you like him even a little?”
My head whips to the side, Jade’s emerald-green eyes pleading with me to answer in the affirmative. Not wanting to get her hopes up, I answer carefully. “Of course, I like your dad. Would I be going through all this trouble to make sure he rests if I didn’t?”
Love rolls her eyes at me as she leans forward. “You know exactly what she meant, Mom. We both see the way the two of you look at each other.”
“Not to mention we caught you kissing the other night.”
“Wait, you saw us?” I gasp in shock.
“Duh. Why else do you think we’ve been doing everything we can to push you together?”
“Oh, you two.” I wag my finger at them both. “But Love knows I’ve sworn off men after the last fiasco we went through.”
“Connor is nothing like Ian, and you know it!” Love raises her voice slightly before apologizing quietly. “Iknow you’re scared, Mom, but Jade and I want the both of you to be happy.”
“My dad has always said I’m everything he needs in life, but there’s someone out there who can love him romantically.” Jade hangs her head as Love pulls her in for a one-armed hug.
“Jade, your dad is an amazing man. I’m sure someone equally as amazing will love both of you to the end of time.” I give her a sad smile before turning back to the dishes.
“But that person can be you, Audrey,” Jade replies hopefully, followed quickly by Love.
“Just think about it, Mom. I know you said you wanted to focus on making a life here for us before getting into a relationship, but men like Connor don’t come along every day. You don’t want to miss your chance because you were afraid of getting hurt.”
Not bothering to look up at either girl, I say, “Enough with the love advice. I know your name is Love, but the day I take relationship advice from my fourteen-year-old daughter will be the end of my dating life.”
Both girls giggle as we finish up the dishes in silence. As soon as the last dish is put away in the kitchen, the three of us head to the living room and find Connor fast asleep on the couch. Jade heads toward him and pulls a blanket off the back of the couch, covering him up. “He’s down for the count. I gave him one of those muscle relaxers before Love and I came to help you with the dishes.”
Love shakes her head from beside me. “We told him to go upstairs and lie down, but he’s so stubborn.”
“That’s my dad. He’s always so strong, even when he needs to listen to someone else.” Jade leans down and gives her dad a gentle kiss on the forehead before addressing us again. “Thanks so much for making him go to the hospital, and for making us dinner.”
I raise my hands in defense. “It was no trouble at all. It was my fault he fell.”
Love and Jade both have a laugh at my expense before I chime in, “Okay, ladies. Love and I need to head home, but text us if you or your dad need anything. We’ll be back in the morning for breakfast. I have to teach a class tomorrow, but Love can stay here and help.”
“I think I can manage him by myself, Audrey,” Jade rebuts, but I’ll hear none of that.
