When they’ve settled, she searches the slowly thinning crowd and finds me. Her eyes widen, along with her smile, and I wink. She says something to Ellie, then heads for me.
“What are you doing here?” Olivia asks. “I thought you’d be in Pennsylvania by now.”
“I wasn’t going to miss this.” I shrug, sticking my hands in my pockets to keep from touching her.
Her eyes roam over my body, her lips parting slightly. “You look…”
“Like what you see?” I tease. I don’t know if I’ve ever spent this long getting ready. All black suit professionally fitted, and gel in my hair so it’s nice and neat. I even tried to cover my tattoos as much as possible.
She giggles, cheeks tinting pink. “I do.”
“Congratulations, Barbie. I’m so fucking proud of you.” I tug her into my arms and kiss her head. My heart beats wildly in my chest, a combination of excitement for her and dread, knowing I have to say goodbye to her.
“Thank you.”
Someone clearing their throat has her stepping back. I recognize her mom immediately, standing with a light-haired man—her dad, I assume.
“Mom, Dad!” she says, her voice taking on an unusually high pitch. “You’re here?”
“Of course we’re here.” Her mother scoffs.
Olivia smiles, but it’s not the same one she gave me. It’s tight, forced.
“We’re so proud of you, sweetheart,” her dad says, hugging her while her mother eyes me with clear disapproval. It’s probably the neck tattoo. Or the lip ring. Hard to say.
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“Who’s this?” Her mother gestures to me as if she doesn’t recognize me.
“Oh, uhm. This is—” Before she can decide what to say, her mom cuts her off.
“I’m guessing this is the reason you’re staying here?” Her lip curls in disgust, but I barely register it because her statement knocks the wind out of me. She’s staying?
Olivia’s mouth falls open, but she composes herself quickly. “Mother!”
“Elizabeth,” her father chides.
“Do we have to do this today? Can’t you at least pretend to be happy for me for a few hours?” Olivia says, begging.
“I’ll give you some privacy,” I say to her, stepping back.
Olivia glances up at me, brows pinching together, then she looks at her mom. “No, you know what? Yes, Mother, heispart of the reason I’m staying. I’m staying for me, to pursue my dreams, whatever they might be,” she mumbles that last part, but my heart is beating so fucking hard I hear it in my ears. “I’m staying because I love it…” She stares at me hard, and my stomach clenches. “I love it so much. I’m not ready to say goodbye.”
You love me, Barbie?
“Good Lord, Olivia. Grow up,” her mother says sharply.
But Olivia doesn’t break eye contact with me. Her face softens for me. Only me.
She smiles but lets it drop when she turns back to herparents. “I’m trying to grow up, but you won’t let me. You want to force me into your bubble of a perfect life, but I don’t fit there anymore. I fit here. I belonghere. I’m staying, and I’m sorry if that hurts, but too bad. This is my home now.” She chews on her lip, looking unsure, but then straightens her shoulders. Grabbing my hand, she laces her fingers with mine and squeezes. “He’smy home.”
Her mother gasps, but I can’t take my eyes off my girl. A wide smile creeps up my face. My palm is probably sweating in hers, but I don’t dare pull away. She just stood up to her parents for me. For us?
“Can we go?” Olivia asks.
I blink, realizing she’s talking to me, and I nod. Neither of us spares her parents another glance, even though they call after her as we head toward my truck.
Once we’re out of sight, she says, “I’m sorry.”
