Sweet Love - Mia Kayla Page 0,81
cheek. “I know, Mom. I understand.”
After a beat, she kissed my forehead before motioning around the room. “We have everything now though, right? Life should be perfect, but it’s not, is it?” Her smile was sad. “You’re unhappy. I can see it. I see the tension between you and Sandy. I just … I want everything to be okay. For everything to pan out for us. When your dad was alive, he made sure everything was okay, and I only want to do the same, baby girl. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“And I want to make sure you’re okay too, Mom. That you’re happy.”
Her eyes crinkled, showing her years of wisdom. “I am happy. How can I not be … when I have you?”
The first of many tears fell, both of us a crying mess now.
She bent down again, and we held each other’s hands, letting all the emotions spill onto the table.
“I’ll do better. I promise.” Then, she pulled me into a hug and tenderly kissed the top of my head. “I’ll be there.”
My throat was choked full of emotion that I couldn’t speak, and I buried my head into her shoulder, my tears soaking her shirt.
She ran one light hand through my hair. “There is nothing that will make me miss it. Nothing, okay?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
Chapter 26
Charlie
Today was the day. The day that I’d been saving for, the day where I’d show the world that I had talent, just like my dad had told me I did.
The doors opened at seven, and I would show up at eight. That was the deal.
But every second felt like hours as I paced the hallway of Connor’s living room, gnawing at my bottom lip.
Connor had helped me in the wee hours in the evening to move and hang everything up at the place. The exhibit was perfection personified. Still, I couldn’t shake my nerves.
“Gray tie or blue?” In a sharp gray suit and blue button-down shirt, Connor strolled in, holding up two ties.
I scrunched my face and shook both of my hands out. “I-I don’t know.” I peered up at the ceiling and blew out a breath. “It doesn’t matter. Everything looks fine.”
Taking a few short, shallow breaths, I paced the room again, retracing my steps.
“Charlie.”
When I turned to face him, he approached and reached for my elbows, pulling me in. He leaned in, his head so close to mine, and smiled. “Breathe.”
But I couldn’t. Instead of breathing, I inhaled and held it there for a long time, most likely turning all shades of unhealthy.
He gave me a little shake. “Baby, you’re turning blue. Breathe.”
I exhaled but didn’t let all the air out. “I can’t.”
“You’ll die if you can’t.”
“I don’t know if I can do this. I mean, even if Nui doesn’t show up, other people will be there. Alyssa and Casey invited their family members.” I closed my eyes, the heightened anxiety making me want to throw up.
He pulled me into him, his lips brushing against my temple. “I wish you had the same level of faith in yourself that I have in you.”
And right then and there, he was my father, pushing me to be the best, to share my art with the world.
I lifted my chin and rested it against his chest. “You remind me so much of my dad.”
He chuckled and raised both brows. “And that is just weird. Please don’t say that.”
“But you do.” I kissed his chin. “You make me feel so much better about myself. Like I’m meant to do this.”
He angled closer until his eyes were intently locked on mine. “Charlie, you’re the most talented person I know. And I’m not just saying that. Alyssa and Casey and everyone in the office knows you are. Your father knew you were. All you need is to believe in yourself. It will be amazing, I promise.”
He leaned in, sweetly kissing me on the lips. “You’re going to kill it tonight. Now, tell me … since I’m meeting the Ps, gray tie or blue? I’m a little nervous. You know I haven’t been introduced to parents in a long-ass time.”
I sighed. “Gray.”
But what I really wanted to say was … why did it matter? What was meeting my mom and stepdad going to do for us? He’d be gone and out of my life before the end of this month.
“I hope they like me.” He smiled all teeth, and it was boyish and cute and all kinds of handsome.
It was all too much to