“I told Victoria I had a surprise for her so she’s probably chomping at the bit until we get inside.” I nodded in the direction of their front door, attempting to urge my sister to move from Drew’s back seat. I ignored my own tension to ease hers.
When we left the landlord’s office, I should have been elated. This was my goal, what I worked so hard for over the past year. We’d have a great apartment and a lifestyle much more comfortable than the one I was barely holding onto. But, after being with her father for so long . . . maybe she didn’t want to leave. Josh did a stellar job stepping into the role of full-time parent, and the old Sara would have resented the shit out of him for it. This one only wanted happiness for everyone involved. If Victoria wanted to stay with her father, I’d be devastated but would deal.
“What’s wrong?” Drew whispered in my ear as we ambled up the block.
“What? Nothing.”
He pulled back and squinted at me. “If you bite your lip any harder, you’re going to draw blood.” He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me close as Denise trudged in front of us. “It’s not the good kind of biting your lip, either. So, spill.” He pinched my side and made me jump.
“Victoria may not want to leave.” His shoulders dropped in irritation when he caught my gaze.
“Are you serious right now? The same little girl Josh had to pile into his car in almost tears when she left my apartment and left you? You’re her mother. She’s always going to want to be with you.”
“Maybe, but they made a nice home for her here. Is it selfish of me to pull her out of it?” My eyes drifted to their apartment windows and the Wonder Woman window clings decorating the panes in Victoria’s room. “I took her away from her father before, and all it did was hurt her.”
“You didn’t know him before; you thought that was the only choice to make. He’s a reasonable guy, you’re more or less reasonable now.” I punched his arm when he let out a snicker. “You both can make it work so that she’s notpulledfrom either of you.”
“Right.” I reached for my sister’s hand before I rang the doorbell. “Neither of us get to chicken out.” The corners of my lips lifted into a smile at the scampering of feet followed by the locks clicking.
“Mommy!” Victoria leaped into my arms and clutched my waist. She was so tall now that her head grazed my chest.
“Surprise,” I whispered in her ear.
“Drew’s here, too!” She gasped when she caught sight of him next to me.
“Hey, pretty girl.” He kissed her forehead and stepped aside, revealing where Denise hid behind him.
“Who are you?” My daughter’s brow furrowed as she brought her eyes back to mine.
“This is your Aunt Denise. My sister.”
“You have a sister?” Her nose crinkled at me. “Since when?”
I laughed. “It’s a story for another day, but she’s dying to meet you.”
Denise’s eyes welled as she leaned over to be eye to eye with her niece. “Hi, Victoria. You’re even prettier than your pictures.”
“You’re like, myrealaunt?”
She laughed and gave her a slow nod. “Yes, I am. And you have no idea how happy I am to finally meet you.”
“Cool! Want to see my room?” Drew and I shot Denise our best “I told you so” glare before Victoria dragged her away by the hand.
“Hi, Sara.” Josh ushered all of us in before he shut the door behind us. “This had to be an awful couple of days for you. I’m so sorry.”
I shrugged, still unsure of how to respond when someone offered their condolences. I thanked him for the gesture, but my parents were gone to me a long time ago. I mourned, but I wasn’t bereaved.
“Josh.” Drew extended his hand and Josh took it like they were old friends, a huge comparison to how he looked him up and down on Christmas.
“Hi, Sara, Drew.” Brianna came behind him and offered me a warm smile.
“I actually have things to discuss with you. Can we go into the living room?”
Josh nodded and followed us inside. He took a seat on the couch with Brianna as Drew and I settled on the loveseat across the room.
“Well, I have some news. I got that assistant chef job in Midtown.”
“That’s awesome! Congratulations!” Brianna beamed with pure and sincere happiness. “When do you start?”
