Her Collateral Bride: A Lesbian Age Gap Romance

what she felt for Claire was real or understand that what Claire

could feel was anything real either. Claire knew this. It was

why she’d been practical enough to send Haley back here.

Back before too much damage was done. Before their hearts

were irrevocably tied up with each other.

Haley’s was almost too far gone anyway. Almost, because it

felt like she was dying, but maybe she could still go on with

her life as more than a walking zombie. Claire would never

admit it to anyone, but Haley was sure she felt the same way

too. Were they supposed to be zombies forever? Could Claire

tuck the hurt away, parcel it into a neat box and get on with her

life? Could Haley? She’d never been heartbroken or heartsick

before, so she honestly didn’t know.

She needed to talk to the woman who had raised her. Her

grandma. Would she know? She’d only ever loved one man

her whole life and that was Haley’s grandpa. They were still

together. Still very much in love. They hadn’t experienced loss

yet. Her grandma was the wisest person Haley knew. She

needed her. She needed her so badly.

Things were the worst in silence. At least when there was

noise or shouting or even harsh words, she knew where

someone stood. She didn’t like her silently fuming dad. She

didn’t like that she didn’t know what he was thinking. She

didn’t like the way he was looking at her, like she was a

stranger.

“I think we both need some time to think things through.”

She took a deep breath. “I know what happened and where I’m

at and none of it is Claire’s fault. I pursued her. She didn’t

seduce me. You will not go after her for anything, and you will

not treat her badly on my account because there is no ‘on my