Her greeting was laced with genuine sympathy and concern. Brianna was effortlessly beautiful, with golden hair flowing down her back and warm, brown eyes. She had been the target of my rage since the day Josh came back into our lives. She never returned any of the venom I spewed in her direction, and even back then, I knew deep down she didn’t deserve it. My hatred evolved into tolerance, but lately the strongest emotion I’d felt toward her was gratitude. Josh somehow found the most forgiving and understanding woman on the planet to not only stay by his side after she learned he had a surprise kid, but to love his child without the slightest bit of resentment.
I had a difficult time allowing a second strong mother figure in my daughter’s life. But now, I supposed, she’d be thefirstmother until the year ended. My gut twisted at the thought, but even though I wouldn’t be here, Victoria would have all the love and care I’d ever want for her while I did something for us and our future.
This was only a year. I repeated the word “temporary” a thousand times in my head since awakening. One year. Two semesters. I could do this. All I had to do was kiss her goodbye and hit the road.
But how?
I followed all of them into her bedroom. They’d only just moved in but prepared for Victoria’s arrival quickly. My mouth fell open as I looked around the room. Her new bedroom was bigger than our old living room was, with Wonder Woman curtains and bedding, an adorable desk in the corner, and shelves that I was sure would be filled with toys and books the next time I came back. A lump formed in my throat so large it became difficult to breathe.
I took in a quick breath through my nostrils and knelt before my daughter. She didn’t seem to notice the details of her amazing room, her eyes searching mine instead. I cupped her cheek and planted a kiss to her forehead.
“This is an awesome room. You should thank Josh and Brianna for working so hard.” I lifted my head and gave them both a tight smile. A stopwatch ticked in my head. I was running out of time before I had a full breakdown and needed to make a quick exit. “Listen to your father . . . and Brianna. Be the good girl I know you are. I love you and I’ll call you when I get there.”
She flung her arms around me and buried her face into my neck. Her tears dampened my shirt and tore my heart in half.
“I love you, too,” she whispered in my ear.
“Hey,” Brianna crooned as she crouched next to us. “You’ll see your mom on FaceTime in a few hours. It’s okay.” She rubbed her back as Victoria nodded without turning around.
“I better get going.” I clutched her shoulders and eased her away. “Remember,” I kept my voice stern, trying not to collapse in sobs at the sight of her tearstained face. “Be good. I love you.”
My voice cracked on the last word I would be able to say before the sobs rolled through me. I gave Josh and Brianna a quick nod before standing and heading for their door. The car was close, I needed a minute to get outside and jump in. I stabbed the unlock button with my thumb and reached for the door handle before a hand cupped my shoulder.
“You need to do this.”
I nodded in response, keeping my gaze forward and not turning to Josh’s voice.
“For you, and for her.”
I craned my head just as my first tear escaped. “That’s a great room.”
Josh shrugged with a laugh. “I have a lot of time to make up for. I was happy to get the chance to do it. For both of you.”
I huffed as I turned around and leaned against the car door. “The two of you are always so fucking nice.” We shared a laugh before my smile faded. “I don’t deserve it.”
“Yes, you do. You took care of our girl—and now for the next year, it’s my turn.” He gave me a warm smile before he jutted his chin to the car. “Go. You have a long drive.”
“I do. Thank you, Josh.”
He waved me off before strolling back inside. I started the car and allowed myself to cry until the highway entrance. Josh was right. We deserved this.
I owed it to both of us to find the guts to see it all the way through.
Sara
“WHAT’S YOUR NAMEagain, dear?” I sank my teeth into my bottom lip to delay my response enough to take the nasty edge off. After being in the car for four straight hours, I was exhausted and missed my daughter so much it hurt; I didn’t have it in me to be nice.
“Sara Caldwell. My room is in this building. This is the on-campus housing, right?”
Her lips pursed as she flipped through the file on her desk at a glacier’s pace. I was reminded of that movie Victoria loved with the sloths at the DMV, although they were a bit faster than this lady. The thought of my daughter and the wave of sadness that followed expelled some of the frustrated air from my lungs. I didn’t come all the way out here to be miserable.Patience, I needed patience.
“Ah, yes, here you are. Second floor.” She pointed her bright pink fingernail to the flight of stairs behind her. I forced a smile and nodded a silent thank you before trudging up the stairs. I was sure I’d be one of the oldest students here because of my long absence from school. I had two years of culinary credits and managed to get into the accelerated program. I’d have my degree in a year and—God willing—a job paying well enough to support both of us. Then the real grunt work would begin, but I wasn’t afraid. To spend hours in a grueling kitchen learning something beat the hell out of jumping from table to table at one of my waitress jobs. I would have a career, not just a job. My fists flexed at my sides as I made my way up the stairs, excitement and terror rushing through me.
My suitcase, duffel bag, and purse weighed on me with every step. How steep was this flight of stairs? By the time I arrived on the floor, I was a huffing and puffing sweaty mess. I dropped one of my bags and scoured every door for my room number when I plowed into something.
“Sorry.” I lifted my head to a deep baritone and winced in embarrassment. The something was a someone.
“No, it was my fault . . .” I trailed off. My tired eyes glossed over the full lips tempered by stubbled cheeks, thick black hair, and chocolate eyes and then landed on the broad chest I’d bumped into. My victim shot me a sly grin and shook his head.
