“You and Imogene are heading back to Charleston next week. I want to spend more time with you two.”
I bring my mug to my mouth and take a sip of coffee, hoping she can’t see through my lies, that the mere thought of walking into that house causes a heaviness to settle in my chest. In such a short time, Londyn snuck into my soul and weaved herself around my heart. Now, when I think of Meemaw and Gampy’s old house, I don’t only think of childhood memories. I think of Londyn. I fear I always will.
“And we’ll both be a quick flight away. Or a five-hour drive. So why don’t you tell me the real reason.”
I turn my attention out the large windows that make up the front of her bakery. The sidewalks of this trendy area of the city teem with tourists and locals spending their afternoon shopping or grabbing a bite to eat with friends. I still marvel at how much Julia has accomplished in the past several years. Not only has she raised Imogene, sometimes on her own, since her husband travels extensively for his job as a public relations consultant, but she took a home-based business of fulfilling online orders for her sugary concoctions and moved it to an actual brick and mortar store. Now, she has bakeries all over the South.
“Because I’ll feel her there, and it hurts,” I admit, facing her. “Probably more than it should, considering we’ve only known each other a few months. And we only kissed once.”
Julia gives me a reassuring smile. “But in those few months, you’ve both shared pieces of yourselves with each other. There’s something to be said for getting to know someone like you and Londyn have. And to be honest, after you told me about what happened to her mother, I understand why she’d be hesitant to enter into a relationship. It may have been twenty years ago, but losing someone as tragically as she did never leaves you. Hell, there are days that I still struggle with losing Gampy and Meemaw.”
“Me, too.”
“So imagine losing your mother because of some whack job with a gun. On top of that, imagine having to live with the knowledge that your father may have been able to save your mother if he hadn’t chosen to protect you first. Don’t get me wrong,” she adds quickly. “He did what any parent would. If someone came in here waving a gun and started shooting, I’d grab Imogene and get her the hell out of here. Let everyone else fend for themselves. I’d miss you and would bawl like crazy if anything happened to you, but I wouldn’t hesitate to protect my daughter first.”
I smile slightly, briefly covering her hand with mine, squeezing. “Which is why you’re such a great mother.”
“I couldn’t imagine what it must be like to live with that knowledge, though.” She shakes her head. “That’s got to fuck with your mind. I may not have had the best birth mother, but she was still my mom, at least when she wasn’t high. I was young when she overdosed, but I remember them telling me she was gone. For the longest time, I had trouble getting close to people. I worried they’d leave me, too. It’s why it took me so long to finally allow myself to get close to you. But once I realized you’d do everything in your power to always be there for me, I lowered my walls. Maybe that’s all Londyn needs right now. To know you’ll do everything in your power to be there for her.”
“Perhaps.” I pinch my chin, unable to shake the feeling there’s more to it than that.
“Give her some time. I’m sure she’ll come around. And look on the bright side.”
“What’s that?”
“She kissed you back. That’s got to count for something.” Smirking, she stands, grabbing my mug and heading toward the bakery counter.
I rise to my feet, about to argue my doubts, when Imogene’s excited voice cuts through.
“Daddy!”
I fling my eyes toward the door, watching as a muscular blond wearing a three-piece suit and dark-framed glasses strolls into the bakery. Setting his roll-aboard off to the side, he bends down, allowing Imogene to run into his outstretched arms. As he swings her around, showering her with kisses, I glance at Julia, about to ask if she knew he was coming here. Her confused expression is all the answer I need.