“It was complicated as hell with both Jacob and Brent,” I point out. “Unless you don’t remember that?”
“Yeah, fine. But—”
“And those worked out, right? I mean, they’re happy.”
“True, but—”
“I don’t understand why you’re doing this now.”
“Del,” she says, sounding angry. “Can you just listen to me?”
I shut my mouth and nod once.
“Look,” she says and lets out a breath. “I know you’re happy. Honestly, I want that, you know? I want you to be happy. I just worry things are moving fast. And I mean, this guy has a kid, right?”
“Tab has nothing to do with this.”
“No, maybe not. But what if you guys get more involved? Are you going to start, like, being her mom?”
I snort. “Of course not.”
“But maybe you should be? If you’re involved with her father, you’ll be, like, her stepmother.”
I hesitate. I like Tab, love spending time with her… but I hadn’t thought about this. The more I put myself into her life, the more attached she’s going to get. And that little girl needs a mother figure in her life more than anything right now.
“It’s not that simple,” I say.
“Of course it’s not.” Lora’s voice is low and almost pleading. I get a shiver as she meets my eyes and there’s almost a sad look staring back at me. “But think about this. If you keep going down this path… where does it lead?”
“I don’t know. That’s the whole point.”
“What do you even know about this guy, anyway?”
I feel myself tense. “You sound like Mother.”
“Has she warned you away from him?”
I snort. “Actually, no. You’re the first person to say anything.”
“Of course. Mother likes him, I bet.”
“Why?”
“He’s useful and you know how she feels about useful people.”
I look away. I know all about that. The real problem I’ve always had with my mother has been that I’m not useful in her eyes. Opening my store wasn’t useful because it didn’t help the family cause. In all things, she believes one must do their duty and be useful to the greater good. I can see how that would make her like a man like Max.
“I don’t know what this has to do with me and him,” I say. “There’s nothing official going on. We’re just… feeling things out.”
“And meanwhile, that little girl is getting attached to you.”
I glare at her. “Stop using Tab against me.”
“Fine. You’re getting attached to Tab. And to Max. What happens when he has to leave? Why’s he even here anyway?”
I lean back in the couch and realize Lora has no clue why Max is here. I just assumed everyone knew, but of course she doesn’t. Patricks doesn’t either, and neither do the staff nor Archie. I bet Father doesn’t even know.
I want to tell her. I think she’d understand all this better if I did. From her perspective, a man that I’m involved with and his daughter just moved into our family home for no apparent reason. It’s such a bizarre situation that I can’t help but laugh.
That pisses her off though. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” I say. “It’s just… nothing.”
“I get it, you think I’m so fucking funny.” She stands up. “I’m just trying to look out for you.”
“Wait, Lora.”
“Stop. I don’t know this guy and I don’t get why he’s even staying here. You’re clearly too over the moon for him to really think about it, but maybe this will get through. You don’t know him and you’re moving too fast. I’m afraid for you.”
I nod at her and stop smiling. “I know. Thank you.”
“Whatever.” She turns away. “I just want him gone.”
“I’m sorry, Lora. He’s staying. I know you don’t like him, but you don’t know him at all. You don’t know what’s happening.”
She looks back. “Then tell me.”
I want to. I really, really want to. I don’t want my sister to think that I’m just getting seduced by this older man and giving him whatever he wants… although that’s partially true at least.
But I know I can’t. I’m afraid of what she’ll do if she knew that there are mafia men out to hurt him and potentially his daughter. I don’t want her to do something impulsive that’ll make the situation worse.
“Sorry,” I say. “I just can’t.”
“Yeah, that’s what I figured.” She turns again and walks off. I let her go, even though it hurts. That last look she gave me stung, and I know she’s disappointed in me.
“Ah, shit,” I grumble to myself. I stand up and spot Max stepping into the room. He catches my eye and smiles… and I can’t help but smile back.
“Hey,” he says, walking over. “You okay? You look a little—”
I throw myself into his arms, heedless of anything. He hesitates then hugs me tight. “Sorry,” I grumble into his chest and pull away. “I just wanted to do that.”
He tilts my chin to look into my eyes. “Are you okay?” he asks. “Did something happen?”