Poison & Wine - Melissa Toppen Page 0,78
*
“What’s this I hear about dinner with mommy’s friend, Wace?” Keira props a hand on her hip and hits me with a pointed look.
“I invited Jace over for dinner tonight,” I say, moving about the kitchen as I put groceries away.
Keira stopped by to drop off Ellie’s stuffed elephant that she left there last night. Since I’m off for the next two nights, she knew Ellie would want it. Really I think she wanted a reason to grill me about Jace.
I’ll give her credit, she has been biting her tongue as of late. But after the altercation with Lance, I knew it was only a matter of time before she couldn’t keep her opinion to herself anymore.
“Oakley.” She blows out a breath.
“Look, I already know what you’re going to say and I don’t want to hear it. I love him, Keira. I never stopped loving him.”
“You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t know that you’ve been holding onto this idea? That one day he would come back and everything would be the way it was supposed to be. But Oakley, are you sure this is the right move? What if he slips? What if he falls back into old habits? You barely survived the first time.”
“I know it’s a possibility. I’m not the same naïve teenager I used to be. I know who he is and what he’s capable of. But I also know the good inside of him. I know the kind of man he can be. The kind of man he wants to be.”
“I want to support you, I do.”
“Then do it.” I turn, balling a grocery bag in my hand.
“It’s just… I’m worried about you.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I know what I’m doing.”
“And if this doesn’t go the way you’re hoping it does? Then what?”
“Then I’ll deal with it when that time comes. But Keira, he’s her father,” I say in a hushed voice, pointing in the vicinity of Ellie’s room where she’s playing. “What kind of mother would I be if I at least didn’t try?”
“Okay.” She sighs.
“Okay?”
“Yeah, okay. Clearly your mind is made up. I can’t say I agree, but I love you. And if this is what you feel like you need to do then I’ll stand by you.”
“You will?” I’m a little taken aback.
“Yes, I will.” She rounds the island to stand in front of me. “You are like a sister to me. Hell, you are my sister. I don’t want this to create a wedge between us. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t talk to me.”
“Thank you.” Emotion wells in my chest. “You have no idea how much that means to me. This isn’t easy. Any of it. But it’s what I feel like I have to do.”
“I get it.” She shrugs, not missing the look of disbelief that crosses my face. “What? Don’t look at me like that. It’s not like I don’t understand. But it’s my job to protect you.”
“No, Ki. It isn’t. I know you feel like it is. And there’s no way I’ll ever be able to thank you for everything you did for me and Ellie, for everything you still do. But we are not your responsibility. I’m sorry if I made you feel like we needed to be.”
“I just need to know you’re taken care of.”
“I am. And while I know this situation is less than ideal, I truly believe it’s the right thing. For all of us. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be doing it.”
“I know. And I trust your judgement. I just want you to be careful.”
“I will. I promise.” I snag her hand, squeezing her fingers.
“Okay then.” She smiles. “Well, I guess I should get out of your hair. I’m going out with a few co-workers tonight and I need to get home and shower.”
“A few co-workers?” I question.
“Yeah, Maria, Shawn, Harley, a few other people from sales. And Lance,” she tacks on.
“I see.”
“That’s okay, right? I know you two aren’t necessarily on good terms right now but he’s my friend.”
“Of course it’s okay. I’m just sorry is all.”
“For what?”
“For everything. I hate that you feel stuck between the two of us.”
“I don’t. And I’ve already told Lance that while he’s my friend and I’ll always be here for him, my allegiance lies with you. I didn’t want him thinking he could vent to me and have me not take your side. Because Oak, I’ll always be on your side.”
“I love you.” I squeeze