Meant for You (The Connor Family 3)

Mrs. Lamonica was smiling and then went on to give so much groveling advice that she’d make Blake proud.

“You know what? I’m going to bring us all some of our homemade cherry liqueur,” she said eventually.

When she’d disappeared inside the house, Harvey said, “You still have something on your chest.”

Well, yes, and it was weighing on me. “I know Paige is strong, but I don’t want her to have to be strong. Or to worry. Does that make sense?”

I didn’t want her to have to be strong for our children, or to have to pretend.

Harvey smiled at me for the very first time today. “You’re talking to someone who used to be in the Army. Of course it makes sense. Let me ask you something. Why did you join the force?”

“Because I wanted to make a difference.”

“And do you feel that your current position is the only way you can make a difference?”

I knew what Harvey was getting at because I’d given it a lot of thought as well lately.

“No, sir. There was a time I used to think that, but not anymore. There are alternative pathways in the LAPD where I could bring things forward without risk.”

I’d always thought I’d needed the action... and well, in the very beginning I had. It had been a way to work out that residual anger I still held over the unsolved case of my parents. But lately, I’d moved on to other types of cases, which hadn’t required as much action. And since Paige had entered my life, I’d learned there were more dimensions to making a difference than my narrow definition. A few months ago, I wouldn’t even have thought about the change, but now I wanted it. The conversation with Mr. Lamonica had just solidified it.

“I will talk to my superiors as soon as possible.” I was excited to explore all options, especially those that would leave me more time to focus on the foundation.

“Well, son, just make sure my daughter knows you’re not making this decision only for her sake, or she’ll hand you your ass, just like her mother did with me when I told her I’d retire early. She gets the stubborn from Greta.”

“Are you badmouthing me?” Mrs. Lamonica inquired, appearing out of nowhere.

“No, dear,” said Harvey on a slight wince.

I smiled, taking the glass she handed me. They were both happy and relaxed, but there was just one more thing I wanted to ask them before I left. One very important thing.

***

Paige

I was so proud of how I’d handled things. So proud. I’d stood my ground. I hadn’t let those sinful eyes or lips sway me, or that sweet way in which he wanted to look after me. I’d wanted to say more, but I’d swallowed my words before I made a fool of myself. It pissed me off that he’d just jumped to conclusions because I’d had a mini-meltdown at the hospital.

It reminded me of Greg, who’d labeled me as an emotional nutjob because I was fighting for the educational center.

Truthfully, it had been because of Will that I’d become comfortable with expressing my emotions, whether they were happy or not.

My chest had ached since I’d seen Will, and it didn’t seem to be fading. I wished I’d been sober when he’d arrived. I still wasn’t sure why I was so unsteady... then I remembered that I’d only had a smoothie this morning, because I hadn’t had time for a sandwich. So my last meal had been yesterday evening. That would explain it.

I had my phone on me, so I shot Luna a text, asking her to bring some food too. I wasn’t in the mood for a girls’ night in, but she’d insisted. I wasn’t a quitter, damn it. What I wanted was to shake some sense into Will, make him understand that while I appreciated his concern, I needed him to trust me. If he didn’t... how could things work out between us?

Over the next week, we threw ourselves into working on the education center. There was a lot to be done, and since I’d divided tasks once I’d quit my job, we barely saw each other.

On the first day, I found chocolate mousse in the fridge. Huh? I hadn’t ordered it. Then I realized Will must have ordered it for me. Something tugged at my heartstrings as I ate it.

I shot him a quick message.

Paige: I found the chocolate mousse. Thank you.

Then a second one.

Paige: I hope it was for me. I ate it all.

Will answered a few minutes later.