Her Collateral Bride: A Lesbian Age Gap Romance

You know the way to the house.”

Haley quickly slapped the lid shut on the piano. It was an

old upright, lovingly played by her grandma since she was a

little girl. It was probably her favorite heirloom ever. “Are

you…? No. I don’t want to talk to my dad yet. I haven’t

figured out what I want to say.”

Her grandma shifted where she stood, shuffling in place a

little like she was trying to stretch out pins and needles from a

numb limb. “Not your dad.”

“Who, then?”

“Claire Finley.”

“What?” She scrambled off the bench and stood up. Her

whole body felt curiously numb, and she did the same thing

her grandma was doing, shuffling in place. “We can’t just go

to her house! Yes, I know the way, but we aren’t invited. She

doesn’t want to talk to me or see me. She sent me away,

remember?”

“But it’s been about a month. I’d say that’s enough time for

both of you to realize what it is you really want.”

Pain. Always the same pain. It assaulted Haley, starting

behind her breastbone. While she shifted from foot to foot, she

reached up and rubbed at the ache. “And if she hasn’t called

me in all this time, I think that means she knows what she

wants, and I’m not it.”

“I think she knows she wants you, but she’s trying to keep

her distance because she thinks that’s what’s best for you.

She’s spent her life sacrificing, Haley. I think you need to go

to her and make it clear that your feelings haven’t changed and

that you want to be with her despite all the impediments in

your way. You’re not choosing her or your dad, because that