Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
In a quiet voice, he tells me, “Wes has agreed to speak to Sloane.”
My stomach cramps with nerves. This is the big fat what-if that’s been hovering over everything. For the first time since the magic of last night, my resolve falters.
“What’s he going to say?”
“That I’m finally happy. That we have to put Emery first. And that you’re a good person who’s not trying to steal Emery, and you want the best for her.”
“Of course I do,” I say passionately.
He gently wraps his arm around my waist. I freeze for a moment, wondering if we’re going too far in front of Emery. But I have to start letting go of thoughts like that. Emery looks up and sees us. Her eyebrows shoot up almost comically, and a sweet smile graces her lips. Her expression suddenly becomes grownup in her precocious way. For a second, I think she’s going to say, I told you so.
But then she does something even more mature, especially for a girl with as much energy as she has. She smiles for a moment longer and then turns back to her book as though agreeing to let the development go unacknowledged, assenting to let it effortlessly and beautifully become a part of her life.
“I have to ask you something,” Gray says. “It’s tough, Callie.”
I turn to him, a chord of tension striking in me. But I try to keep my voice down and level for Emery. “What is it?” I ask.
“If Wes somehow makes Sloane see reason, you’ll have to forgive her for what she did with your ex-boss. I hate that bastard for what he did, and part of me hates her for pulling some crap like that. Drug addiction, pure sadism, whatever it was—there’s no excuse. But if we’re going to be together, you’ll need to find a way to let it go. Believe me, I don’t want to do this to you.”
“It’s done,” I tell him.
His mouth falls open in shock. “Really?”
“I meant what I said, Gray. I want the best for Emery. That’s why I tried to fight my feelings. It’s why I tried to lie to myself. I know what it’s like to be a scared, confused little girl. I know what it’s like to wonder and wonder if everything’s going to be okay. If forgiving Sloane is the price I must pay for Emery’s happiness, I’ll pay it.” I lay my hand on his chest over his heart. “Anyway, maybe Sloane can find a place of peace. Perhaps she can be the mother Emery deserves. I don’t want to replace her. I just want to make Emery’s life better.”
He lowers his voice. “I want to kiss you so badly right now.”
“Later,” I whisper.
We don’t want to rush Emery too fast. She’s been through so much. For now, we settle on holding hands. Emery looks up, unable to contain her energy for any longer. My heart glows when she hops down from her chair and skips over. She toes the floor in front of her, seeming uncharacteristically nervous.
“Is there something you want to say?” I ask.
“Can I hold hands too?”
Gray chuckles. I laugh.
“Sure you can,” I tell her.
“Yippee!” She clasps both her hands around ours, grinning up at both of us.
***
Later, Emery is taking a nap. Wes has arrived with news from Sloane. We’re in the living room, and a light rain is falling outside. Gray’s best friend is looking at me so differently; it’s difficult to remember how distrustful he was when we first met.
“Sloane has checked herself into rehab,” Wes says.
Gray’s hand tightens on me, his surprise evident.
“I know,” Wes murmurs, glancing at his friend. “It shows a level of self-awareness I never would’ve anticipated in my sister. I know this might not mean much to you, Callie, Gray, but she’s been going through a rough time. All her life has been tough. It’s made her—” He cuts himself off with a dark sigh. “A bad person,” he continues as if it hurts him to say this. “I’ve tried to ignore it, to justify it, but I can’t. Seeing you happy for the first time in years, Gray, has changed my perspective. It’s forced me to take an honest look at the situation. Sloane was never right for you—she’s made mistakes.”
“She’s Emery’s mom,” I say. “If she can work on herself and come back in a position to care, I think that’s a great thing.”
Wes gasps, then smiles at Gray. “Is she putting this on?” he says, laughing.
Unlike the last time, when he seemed genuinely convinced I was pretending to be somebody I wasn’t, this was clearly a joke.
“This is who she is,” Gray replies, wrapping his arm around me. “You can’t fake perfection like this.” He leans over and kisses me on the cheek.
As usual, warmth flutters through me at the kiss.