over her chest. “I’m not coming home.”
“But, Lexie—”
“And my name is Lex.” There were angry tears in Lex’s eyes, and Grace’s arms were aching to hold her, to soothe away the pain that was shining in her niece’s expression.
How had Alyssa become so clueless? Her daughter was in obvious distress, and Alyssa seemed to be completely oblivious.
“I named you Lexie,” Alyssa corrected.
“I’m an adult, Mom,” Lex said quietly. “I prefer to be called Lex, and you know it. Just like you know I’m never going to marry Jackson. I’m never going to marry a man. And I’m never going to live up to the perfect picture you have in your head of what my life is supposed to look like. So, no, I’m not coming home. I’m staying here unless Aunt Grace wants me to leave, then I’ll sleep on the couch at Bronwyn’s parents’ house until I can find something permanent.”
Alyssa stared at her daughter, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.
“I have to make dinner now,” Lex said softly and brushed past her mother.
“Lexie—I mean Lex,” Alyssa called after her. “I know you’re not going to marry Jackson or any other man.”
Her daughter paused and glanced back at her. “Then why do you keep talking about it?”
“I was just joking. Bronwyn has always been welcome at our house. You know that.”
“Joking, huh?” Lex asked sadly. “It doesn’t feel like joking when Charlie says you still cry over the fact that Jackson will never be your son-in-law.”
Alyssa paled, and for once she actually appeared to be chagrined by her actions. “That’s just… It’s not about you, sweetie.”
“Oh, I know, Mom. It’s about you. It’s always about you. I get it. I’m a huge disappointment. Fine. I can live with that knowledge, but I no longer can live in that environment. So leave Aunt Grace alone. She didn’t do anything but give me a room when I needed one. Would you rather me be here or couch surfing?”
“I’d rather you be at home with me and Charlie where we can work through everything,” Alyssa said defiantly.
“That’s never going to happen,” Lex said with a stony expression.
“But why?” Alyssa asked. “There’s plenty of space for all three of us.”
“You know why, Mom. I’ve told you more than once. He says inappropriate things and makes me and Bron uncomfortable. I’m happy here for now.”
Alyssa’s face turned bright red, and Grace knew her sister was only moments away from having a meltdown. She was about to suggest they go take a walk and cool down a little, but before Grace could offer, Alyssa stalked into the kitchen and demanded that her daughter go with her right then and there. She made excuses for Charlie, implying that Bron and Lex were exaggerating and reading too much into his joking.
“That’s the problem, Mom,” Lex said. “You always pick him over me. And as far as I’m concerned, he’s a deal breaker. He makes me uncomfortable, and I’m done putting up with everything just because it’s easier on you.”
“So you won’t move home because of Charlie?” Alyssa asked. “You’re on this again?”
“Still,” Lex said. “Always. Charlie is a perv, and neither Bron nor I need that in our lives. Go home, Mother.”
“Fine!” She threw her hands up in the air and stormed out.
Grace strode over to her niece, wrapped her arms around her, and let her cry.
Lex kept thanking Grace and promising to stay out of her hair and that she’d be gone soon, even as she hiccupped her way through the brief speech.
“Forget it, sweet pea. You’re stuck with me. In fact, I like having you here. I insist that you stay as long as you want.”
“You’re not going to be pressuring me to make up with my mother, are you?” Lex asked.
“Nope,” Grace promised. “That’s between you and her.”
“And Charlie,” Lex said dryly. Then she shuddered.
“Hell no,” Grace said. “As far as I’m concerned, that jackass can take a long walk off a short pier.” She grinned. “My grandpa used to say that.”
Lex flung her arms around her aunt and hugged her tightly. “I love you,” Lex said, sounding choked up.
“I love you, too, Lex.” Grace gave her another hug, and when she let go, she said, “Come on. Let’s get dinner going. Hope and Joy are on their way over.”
“Uh-oh,” Lex said. “Trouble’s brewing.”
Grace snickered. “No truer words.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Lex, babe, you knocked it out of the park with this halibut,” Hope said as she used a piece of sourdough bread to sop up