see him again. And I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t tell him sooner. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
She’s quiet as she looks up at me, her little eyes searching my face, watching me. Her little mouth tugs down in a semblance of a frown.
Does she hate me, too?
“Does that mean I’m gonna live with End now?”
My throat closes. I blink away the tears that are building, tamping down the tightness that’s squeezing my throat. “Well, maybe. Yes. That’s a very good possibility. But first, I think we should focus on you getting to know him better.”
“But what about you?” she asks quietly, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. “Where will you go?”
I smile sadly, blinking past the fresh wave of emotion burning the backs of my eyes. “I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere.” I take her little hand in mine and squeeze. “This just means you get double the love.”
She looks pensive as she glances down at the bed. “What if he doesn’t like me?”
“Hey, none of that,” I chide, scooting closer to her and pulling her onto my lap. “Endymion thinks you’re the funniest little lady around already. He’s going to love you. He already does.”
“But what if he doesn’t?”
“He will.”
She pulls back, raising a single brow at me with attitude. “But what if he doesn’t?” She enunciates each word as though I’m deaf, and she’s having to spell it out for me. All I can do is laugh because my sassy little girl is back.
“Then I’ll love you enough for both of us.”
Her smile is blinding. It fills my heart with so much love that I can barely stand it. “I love you, Mommy,” she whispers, nuzzling into my chest.
“I love you always, Luna Bella.”
I clutch my daughter to my chest, finally letting my tears fall.
After putting my sweet girl to bed, I make a quick detour and decide to see my best friend. I rap my knuckles on the front door. I think I have most of my emotions in check until Julia opens the door, wearing a warm smile on her face. My expression must give it all away because her smile falls, and without me needing to ask, she pulls me into her arms, clutching me against her body.
“What did that son of a bitch do?”
A sob rips from my chest. “It wasn’t him. It’s me.”
Heaving a sigh, Julia guides me inside her house, leading us into the kitchen. I take the seat across from her at the table, unable to stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks.
“Ready to talk now, or should I bust out the chocolates and wine?”
“Chocolates and wine. Definitely.”
Once I have a significant amount of wine and chocolate in front of me, I figure it’s now or never. I just hope she doesn’t hate me for keeping the truth from her, too.
“Luna’s father isn’t some guy I met at Caltech.” Julia freezes with her wine glass to her lips, her brows tugging low. “It’s Endymion.”
With slow, methodical movements, Julia sets her wine glass down onto the table and narrows her eyes to thin slits. “Elaborate. Right now.”
“A few days before I left for college, I slept with Endymion. It was perfect, and everything I’ve ever wanted, until it wasn’t. I didn’t know he was drunk, so drunk he didn’t remember anything the next day. He didn’t remember me, Julia. He drove off with Holly, and it felt like that was the last straw. I was hurt and upset. I wanted nothing to do with him ever again.”
Pain grips my chest when I see hurt flare in the depths of Julia’s eyes. “I’m your best friend. How could you keep this from me?”
I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine and squeezing. “Because I was so fucking embarrassed. I spent so many years chasing after a guy who didn’t even know I existed. I gave my virginity to him, and still, it wasn’t enough. I felt stupid.”
“Do you really think I care if you look stupid, Selene? I would’ve helped you. I would’ve…I don’t know what I would’ve done, but I would’ve been there for you.”
A hot tear leaks down my cheek. “I know you would’ve, and I’m so sorry, Julia. There were so many times I wanted to tell you, but I just didn’t know how. I think I also knew you would’ve made me tell him.”
“Tell him what—” Julia’s eyes widen, and hell, I swear I even see the color leave her